By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance youth assembly president Tererai Sithole was on Monday arrested at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Sithole was arrested in the morning after he appeared in court where he was answering charges of holding an illegal demonstration in Warren Park last year.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Sithole is now facing criminal nuisance charges. Police said that Sithole committed the offence on 1 April.

The MDC said in a tweet:

Our Youth Assembly Chairperson, @TereraiSithole has been arrested while leaving court this morning where he was answering to flimsy charges of holding an illegal demo. He has not been advised of the charges against him. #FreeObey.

By A Correspondent- An Air Zimbabwe pilot captain Kevin Chituku has died under mysterious circumstances, barely 48 hours after the death of two experienced Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) pilots and a technician in a helicopter crash in Goromonzi.

Captain Chituku died while alone at his flat in Highlands, Harare this Sunday late afternoon.

His death was announced by Reverend Dr. Lungile Mpetsheni Rhadebe, who is the General Secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA).

Kevin’s sister, Lydia Chituku-Neshangwe, who is also a Reverend with a Presbyterian church, also confirmed the death of her pilot brother.

She said in a statement:

My brother, Kevin. You used to depart and still land back home. This time you’ve departed, never to come back. May your soul rest in peace. You will always be loved.

Zimbabwe Voice quoted sources as saying nothing much was known as the deceased young pilot was alone.

A family member said:

Only after the postmortem is conducted will the picture get clearer. Otherwise, we’re all in the dark despite being close family members with our dear departed.

In a message to the church’s members, which the Zimbabwe Voice is in possession of, Dr. Rhadebe consoled the Chituku family and called on members to join in praying for the family.

The statement read:

It is with a heavy heart and sadness to inform you that Rev Lydia Neshangwe has lost her brother Kevin Chituku. He was found dead in his house in Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe this afternoon. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Further details of the will be communicated as they become available.

Let us uphold the Neshangwe and Chituku families in our prayers during this difficult time. Rev Lydia Neshangwe is a minister to St Andrew’s Presbyterian, Hillside, Bulawayo within the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. She is the chaplain of the Moderator of the UPCSA General Assembly.

She is also the Moderator of the Council for World Mission.

An Agusta Bell 412 helicopter crashed into an Arcturus house on Friday afternoon, killing Wing Commander Thomas Tinashe Manyowa, Flight Lieutenant Anita Mapiye, and aircraft technician Flight Sergeant Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi, and an 18-month-old toddler Jade Fenyere.

-zimbabwevoice

By A Correspondent- Religious organisations in Gweru, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city have converted factories into churches following two decades of deindustrialisation in the once economically vibrant city.

A survey recent survey by The NewsHawks revealed that the giant chimneys that used to discharge smoke now churn out religious hymns and prayers.

Gweru used to be home to thriving companies such as Zimcast, Fort Concrete, Radar Castings, Kariba Batteries and David Whitehead.

However, the firms have shut down in the past two decades, rendering thousands of workers jobless.

According to a recent ZCTU report, new players in the industry operating at full capacity included Chinese companies such as Jin An, Xin Yu and Nelson Holdings.

One Josphat Muroyiwa, who attended a service by charismatic preacher Walter Magaya’s PHD Ministries last Sunday on premises that used to house Cembee furniture manufacturers told The NewsHawks that rentals in the industries are lower than in some parts of the city, for example, the Central Business District (CBD).

Cembee used to employ hundreds of people who made quality furniture, but the building located behind Dairibord is now home to PHD Ministries’ Gweru church.

Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe said Council has offered churches facilities to conduct their services in, but they prefer closed industries.

Said Makombe:

Although as a local authority we have facilities that can be hired by various organisations including churches, most churches however prefer to take space in the closed industries as they are cheap and affordable.

We also used to collect revenue through rates when the industries were fully operational, but now the situation has changed.

ByA Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Victoria Falls City has achieved herd immunity following the roll-out of mass vaccination against COVID-19 last month.

Posting on his official Twitter page, President Mnangagwa said 77 per cent of Victoria Falls citizens had received their second jab. He wrote:

Victoria Falls has now achieved herd immunity. Last month I received my first Covid-19 vaccine in Victoria Falls.

I am immensely proud that over 77 per cent of the city’s inhabitants have received their second jab.

Thank you to all the health officials who have made this possible.

President Mnangagwa launched the country’s second phase of the national vaccination programme in Victoria Falls in March and the government’s plan was to achieve a 60 per cent herd immunity of the population in the resort town.

Close to 20 000 had received their first dose when the second round started a few days ago, with citizens still thronging various static and mobile sites for vaccination.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three Harare men last Thursday appeared in court for duping a businessman of US$45 000 in a botched gold deal.

Stephen Mhumbwe, Louis Mudzongo and Mike Tafira appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi and were remanded out of custody to June 2.

The court heard that the trio connived and duped a local businessman only identified as Mashiri, who is a registered gold buyer, by selling him fake gold.

It is the State’s case that Mudzongo was approached by Tafira who told him that some people in Ngezi were looking for a gold buyer.

Mudzongo then allegedly engaged Mhumbwe to look for a buyer. Mashiri allegedly fell for the deal and Mhumbwe then accompanied him to a person identified as Mashonganyika to buy the gold.

The State further alleges that Mhumbwe then accompanied Mashiri to meet Mashonganyika who was in the company of one Jena and T-One.

Mashiri was then given what appeared like genuine gold and he paid US$45 000 for it through Mhumbwe.

He later discovered the scam and made a police report.

No recoveries were made as the trio became evasive. Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Eight people most of them schoolchildren have been quarantined at Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital and Elangeni Training Centre in Bulawayo.

This follows mass testing and contact tracing that followed the detection of COVID-19 cases at Mzilikazi Primary School and Mzilikazi High School.

Chronicle reported on Saturday that there had been no new coronavirus positive cases at Mzilikazi Primary School but as more results trickled in, some positive cases have since been recorded.

Bulawayo Health Director Dr. Edwin Sibanda said although they are yet to ascertain the exact number of cases since the laboratory which is dealing with the samples is overwhelmed, they have recorded a total of 38 cases, eight being staff members and the rest pupils.

He said:

The first case which was recorded at the school was a worker who tested positive on March 27 and as of yesterday, 1 930 pupils, 55 teachers, and 13 student teachers had been tested, meaning 97,9 percent of the learners were tested.

… From Mzilikazi high school, we collected 30 samples in contact tracing, and unfortunately, results are still pending.

We have taken eight in isolation either at Thorngrove Hospital and Elangeni Training Centre.

Dr. Sibanda said they want all the teachers and other staff to be vaccinated because adults are more vulnerable to the coronavirus compared to pupils.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The duo,Joana Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri are at the courts today.

They are being represented by their defense lawyer Alec Muchadehama at the High Court and at Rotten Row court by Mutongi Bhamu.

Said a source privy to developments:

“Their bail application hearing will likely be stalled because of the ferret team which seems to have taken over the case. They are running up and down the corridors.

At the regional court, it is also highly likely that the case may be remanded to May 5 2021.

The delays and blockages seem to be coordinated by state security agents. These agents are working in carhoots with the national prosecuting authority.

The lawfare framework is being used in conjuction with the political framework and so the environmental framework of our courts is now toxic and terrorised.

I see no light and no reasonable progress in Chapter 4 section 50 of our Constitution; (20:13).

The truth is we are heading towards a much more disastrous environment. There is NO RULE OF LAW IN THIS COUNTRY AND ITS UTTER CHAOS which potentially will exacerbate forced disappearances of many.”

Former Public Service minister Priscah Mupfumira, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges at the courts, told Senate on Thursday that law enforcement agents should thoroughly investigate cases before arresting suspects, saying the “catch and release” practice adopted by police was aiding corruption.

Mupfumira said this while contributing to debate on a report of the 2021 virtual hearings at the United Nations on fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects.

She said poor investigations by the police on corruption cases were resulting in suspects being released without conviction because there would be no evidence against them, adding it exposed government to unnecessary litigation in the event of collapsed cases.

“The problem on why we are not properly handling corruption is that you hear the issue of catch and release. You hear that people have been arrested because of corruption, but later you hear that they are released,” Mupfumira said.

“The problem is that there are a lot of false allegations that are going on. So, no one will take us seriously and we will score lowly when it comes to the index. Human dignity should be considered when there are arrests or allegations. When there is an investigation, there should be a good investigation. Law enforcement agents should be well-trained to separate rumours and reasonable allegations.”

Mupfumira was sacked from government after criminal abuse of office charges were levelled against her.

She is jointly charged with former permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka on allegations of corruptly claiming US$90 000 from the National Social Security Authority to purchase personal vehicles.

They have however denied the charges.

Mupfumira told Senate that malicious arrests would discredit the anti-corruption institutions, and result in increased cases of abuse of public resources.

“Let us not act upon rumours because by the time we get to the courts, it will become just mere allegations that will not stand and it becomes a ‘catch and release’,” she said.

“Otherwise we end up losing credibility because of that and it is as if this ‘catch and release’ was just meant for propaganda. Let us ensure that we investigate properly so that government does not face litigation. Investigators should work on fact and not hearsay or rumours.”

Midlands senator Morgen Komichi (MDC-T) called on government to empower the anti-corruption institutions with training and resources to enhance efficient service delivery.

–

By A Correspondent- The trial of six MDC Alliance party youth leaders commences today at the Harare Magistrates Court.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the activists are being represented by Obey Shava.

The MDC-A activists are facing public violence charges after they allegedly participated in an anti-government protest against hunger during the 2020 national lockdown period.

The six are Joanna Mamombe, Tererai Sithole, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova, Lovejoy Chitengu, and Stan Manyenga.

They were arrested in 2020 and charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace, or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors claim that the six participated in an illegal demonstration held on 13 May 2020 in Warren Park suburb, Harare.

Following the flash demonstration, Mamombe, Chimbiri, and Marova were arrested at a police roadblock on their way to the city centre and allegedly abducted later from a police station.

The trio further alleged that they were physically and s_xually abused by their armed captives over a two-day period in Bindura before they were dumped by the roadside.

By A Correspondent- Joshua Maponga, a Zimbabwean-born public speaker and religious leader, has allegedly been having an affair with a South African woman behind his wife’s back.

According to Daily Sun, Maponga’s 29-year-old alleged lover from Newcastle, KZN, said although they spent most of their time hiding in hotels, the affair was amazing.

The unnamed woman also claimed she was impregnated by Maponga but miscarried.

She said the relationship with Maponga started when she sent him a message on social media in October asking for spiritual guidance for her calling.

She said Maponga introduced her to one of his associates, a sangoma, but he (Maponga) kept checking up on her regularly.

The woman is quoted as saying:

I dreamt of him one night and thought it was a sign from the ancestors he’s the right person to help me. I began to feel comfortable.

He invited me to Joburg and paid for my travel expenses including the hotel. He said he wanted to marry me as his second wife.

According to her, she used to travel to Joburg at least twice a month and stay for a few days.

On one of her visits in December, the woman said Maponga told her he suspected she was pregnant.

She said:

The results came back positive. But one morning I had severe cramps and started to bleed. My mum took me to a clinic and I was told I had a miscarriage.

I was heartbroken and more hurt that he showed no sympathy. I then realised things are not what they seem. I no longer had visions and dreams.

The woman said Maponga even named the dead baby as per custom.

Although he said he knew the woman, Maponga denied allegations of infidelity, pregnancy, and using juju.

He said the woman was trying to extort money from him and accused her of harassment.

However, Daily Sun said they are in possession of their intimate WhatsApp conversations, which include conversations about rituals for their dead unborn child.

When Daily Sun asked Maponga to respond to the screenshots of their intimate conversations and pregnancy, he asked to meet the reporters on Thursday for a comprehensive reply.

But on the day of the meeting, he asked the reporters to meet him in the presence of his attorneys.

Daily Sun opted to send his attorney an email of the inquiry, whose receipt was acknowledged.

The attorneys had not responded to the inquiry at the time of going to print.

By A Correspondent- An undated video has surfaced on social of the late Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) female pilot Flight-Lieutenant Annita Mapiye flying a helicopter.

Mapiye, who died with two others and an 18 month old baby where the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Arcturus last week is seen navigating a military helicopter over rugged terrain.

Mapiye, who is Zimbabwe’s first female helicopter fighter pilot, died with a co-pilot, a technician, and an 18-month-old toddler identified as Jade Fenyere, when the Agusta Bell 412 (AB 412) helicopter crashed into a house at Plot 2 of Gardner Road, Ward 16 in Goromonzi.

Watch the video below:

By A Correspondent- Kariba-based freelance investigative journalist, Obert Siamilandu, has received anonymous phone calls threatening harm to his personal life for penning the stories he does.

Siamilandu first received the threats through a phone call on the 17th April 2021 in which he was told to drop what he was doing (“siyana nezvaurikuita”). When he sought clarity on what exactly he needs to stop doing, the caller simply said “unozviziva” (you know what you are doing). The caller further warned that at this stage he was only warning the journalist, but would move a gear up and unleash  actions to incapacitate and harm the journalist (“yandirikukupa is advice but ukaramba uchienderera mberi I will go on another stage”). Siamilandu had that week broken the story of Municipality of Kariba’s suspension of its Town Planner for improper conduct. The story was carried by Newsday and was an instant hit online.

Although at that stage Siamilandu  took the threat, veiled as advice, lightly , he was taken aback when they were repeated when he attended the opening of court proceedings against three Municipality of Kariba officials in Chinhoyi on Wednesday. Richard Kamhoti (Town Clerk), Saratiere Chitenhe (Director of Financial Services) and Tendayi Mapondera (Ward 5 Councillor) are facing fresh charges of abuse of office as public officers.

It has emerged that Siamilandu, who used to anchor a Municipality of Kariba-sponsered programme on Nyaminyami FM, a provincial commercial radio station based  in Kariba, called “Municipal Talk”, recorded the calls and is now co-operating with state security agents who are on the trail of the caller/s.

Now a freelance  journalist who is a correspondent for several media houses, Siamilandu is a thorn in the flesh of a cartel of corrupt officials in Kariba who thrived on the backdrop of a docile media content to receive brown envelopes and other preferential treatment to overlook clear corruption harming the resort town. 

Siamilandu admits that perks and inappropriate gifts are “killing our journalism” and vows not to take his leg off the pedal in the anti-corruption drive. 

“They want to silence me but unfortunately they won’t succeed,” enthused Siamilandu.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Kariba Chapter Chairman, Addmore Mbonda, when contacted for a comment, claimed that Siamilandu was yet to contact him, adding “if he did so we could have made a statement or a report to Police”.

The fear mongering is escalating as more and more officials at the municipality are afraid the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which is probing Kariba, might unravel more corruption and make more arrests. Ward 9 councillor and lawyer, Simbarashe Lloyd Manyumwa, has also confirmed on social media receiving similar threats. Samu Mawawo, formerly Executive Chairman of the vocal Kariba Incorporated Area Residents and Ratepayers Association (KIARRA) wrote that “I have also received one threat” after current KIARRA Executive Chairman, Dickson Siapunda, had advised on the KIARRA WhatsApp platform that he was being threatened following the arrest of Municipality of Kariba officials. 

“Ndavakuvhundutsirwa namamwe maboora ngoma panyaya dzevakasungwa” intimated Siapunda. Mawawo was accused by his caller of having written to Local Government Minister, July Moyo, detailing corruption in Kariba.

Kariba has been dogged with corruption allegations for a long time which some claim has crippled service delivery in the once thriving town. The resort town has no formal modern vegetable and vending markets despite funding having been availed through Devolution Funds. Probably the most baffling anomaly is the unavailability of a constant supply of water in the majority of suburbs despite a huge investment in supposedly functional water pumps. Kariba is blessed with the world’s biggest man-made lake, by volume and availability of water should not be an issue at all.

Residents point to a failed and corrupt leadership at their municipality and are relieved  that ZACC has finally moved in. Better late than never, they reckon.

By A Correspondent- The trial of six MDC Alliance party youth leaders commences today at the Harare Magistrates Court.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the activists are being represented by Obey Shava.

The MDC-A activists are facing public violence charges after they allegedly participated in an anti-government protest against hunger during the 2020 national lockdown period.

The six are Joanna Mamombe, Tererai Sithole, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova, Lovejoy Chitengu, and Stan Manyenga.

They were arrested in 2020 and charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace, or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors claim that the six participated in an illegal demonstration held on 13 May 2020 in Warren Park suburb, Harare.

Following the flash demonstration, Mamombe, Chimbiri, and Marova were arrested at a police roadblock on their way to the city centre and allegedly abducted later from a police station.

The trio further alleged that they were physically and s_xually abused by their armed captives over a two-day period in Bindura before they were dumped by the roadside.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has bowed to pressure and agreed to consider another adjustment on civil servants’ salaries after teachers threatened a full-blown strike last week as their employer moved to effect a no-work-no-salary policy.

Last Thursday, Public Service minister Paul Mavima confirmed the development in Senate, saying government was considering another “slight adjustment” to the “staggered 70%” wage offer tabled last month, which civil servants have rejected. He, however, insisted that the salaries (i would be in local currency as government had no capacity to pay United States dollar-indexed salaries.

“With regard to salaries, government is working out to ensure that workers are motivated properly, but the workers should also appreciate efforts that are being made by government. According to our revenue at the moment, it is not possible for us to go beyond what we have already offered,” Mavima said.

“We may actually adjust or increase, but not with a big percentage because we stand guided by the Finance ministry. I know that there is a problem that some teachers re-port for duty, but do not teach and children are being denied the education they deserve.

“The government team went back to the negotiating table so that our offer may be re-considered, hence Treasury and Public Service Commission technical people are meeting to see how they can increase the PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe offer to the civil servants. We are saying that since government has opened the negotiation forum, may civil servants, especially teachers go back to work while negotiations go on,” he said.

Last November, Mavima accused civil servants of making outrages demands.

Teachers, who make up the bulk of civil servants, are demanding between US$520 and US$550 or their equivalent in the local currency.

Teachers are currently earning between $17 000 and $22 000, which they say is below the poverty datum line.

In March, government agreed to adjust its workers’ salaries, offering a 70% staggered adjustment, which saw civil servants this month getting 25% of the offer.

Their unions told NewsDay yesterday that they had lost faith in the negotiations.

“We have negotiated enough and nobody seems to care. We are being considered as workers who do not deserve attention as if to mean we are a nuisance. The best we can say is that we are condemned employees. We have been neglected like mercenary prisoners of war and the only solution before us is to show that we are human beings worth surviving, like the members of Parliament who are demanding more than $72 000. We need to rise up and be counted,” Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said: “This is no time for rhetoric and empty promises, but a time for realism and pragmatic action that can restore meaningful learning and teaching in schools. Our plea is that government must invest in quality public education and the payment of a living wage to teachers must be high on the government agenda, moreso in light of Agenda 2030 aimed at revolutionising education through life-serving skills revolution. Well-paid teachers in safe schools are a must for quality public education.”

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) claimed government of using terror tactics to force teachers back to class.

Artuz claimed that its members in Zaka, Masvingo province, had been assaulted by parents on the incitement of some ruling Zanu-PF party members.

“We are gathering that a school head and his deputy at Mapanje Primary School in Zaka have been attacked by parents. We are also advised that the ruling party has launched a campaign to incite parents against teachers. Our schools must be safe,” Artuz said on its Twitter handle yesterday.

But Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday dismissed the reports, adding that if it were true, then the union should report the perpetrators to the police.

“Why Should Zanu-PF involve itself in school affairs? Those who claim they have been assaulted should report the matter to the police. But that is not how we behave in Zanu-PF,”Moyo said.

PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said victimisation of teachers by politicians was not a new phenomenon.

“Teachers have been victimised for ages. Politicians should never interfere with educational issues. Those who are meddling with the issues happening in schools should stop forthwith,” Majongwe said.

Last Thursday, labour representatives stormed out of the Tripartite Negotiation Forum meeting in Harare in protest after government said it would not intervene in salary negotiations between employees and employers.

By A Correspondent- Farmers at Velvekia farm Guruve are up in arms with an ex-soldier Christopher Magomo and one white farmer Duncan Wood.

The duo is reported to have grabbed a tractor and planter under an agriculture scheme meant to benefit poor farmers at Velvekia.

“Magomo  and his colleague (Wood) took our machinery and used it in their fields without considering our plight despite the deposit we paid to have the machinery available at the farm,” lamented the source.

“Our major concern now is that the duo is refusing to repair the tractor which broke down in their hands and us farmers we are now being tasked to pay again yet we did not benefit from the scheme.” 

It is further alleged that the tractor driver has not been paid for more than three months.

Meanwhile, one Peter Madzvamuse allegedly repossessed the equipment from the duo and took it to a police base where it is currently parked.

Madzvamuse  is now mobilizing funds from farmers to repair the damages since no audit has been done to that effect.

Efforts to contact Magomo and Wood were fruitless by the time of publishing.

-Byo24

By A Correspondent- Former Public Service minister Priscah Mupfumira, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges at the courts, told Senate on Thursday that law enforcement agents should thoroughly investigate cases before arresting suspects, saying the “catch and release” practice adopted by police was aiding corruption.

Mupfumira said this while contributing to debate on a report of the 2021 virtual hearings at the United Nations on fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects.

She said poor investigations by the police on corruption cases were resulting in suspects being released without conviction because there would be no evidence against them, adding it exposed government to unnecessary litigation in the event of collapsed cases.

“The problem on why we are not properly handling corruption is that you hear the issue of catch and release. You hear that people have been arrested because of corruption, but later you hear that they are released,” Mupfumira said.

“The problem is that there are a lot of false allegations that are going on. So, no one will take us seriously and we will score lowly when it comes to the index. Human dignity should be considered when there are arrests or allegations. When there is an investigation, there should be a good investigation. Law enforcement agents should be well-trained to separate rumours and reasonable allegations.”

Mupfumira was sacked from government after criminal abuse of office charges were levelled against her.

She is jointly charged with former permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka on allegations of corruptly claiming US$90 000 from the National Social Security Authority to purchase personal vehicles.

They have however denied the charges.

Mupfumira told Senate that malicious arrests would discredit the anti-corruption institutions, and result in increased cases of abuse of public resources.

“Let us not act upon rumours because by the time we get to the courts, it will become just mere allegations that will not stand and it becomes a ‘catch and release’,” she said.

“Otherwise we end up losing credibility because of that and it is as if this ‘catch and release’ was just meant for propaganda. Let us ensure that we investigate properly so that government does not face litigation. Investigators should work on fact and not hearsay or rumours.”

Midlands senator Morgen Komichi (MDC-T) called on government to empower the anti-corruption institutions with training and resources to enhance efficient service delivery.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- The government has banned religious organisations from holding their gatherings in schools in a move meant to protect teachers and learners from the coronavirus scourge.

Religious organisations, Christian denominations included, renting school premises have been told to find alternative places for their services.

The development was confirmed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communication and advocacy Taungana Ndoro.

He said:

Yes, I can confirm that churches have been banned from using classrooms or school premises for conducting church services in line with measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move is meant to protect pupils and teachers.

This is the second time that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has banned religious denominations from holding services in schools.

Last year, Education Minister Cain Mathema banned the use of schools before the writing of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) 2020 June examinations.

Meanwhile, Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe said many churches were now conducting their services in closed council beer halls.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Traditional leaders have demanded that the Justice minister must not be given power to appoint them as marriages officers in the Marriages Bill as that would undermine their authority.

Clause 9 of the Marriages Bill, which is currently before Senate, proposes that the Justice minister “may” choose to designate a chief to become a marriage officer.

However, last Thursday in Senate, chiefs raised objections against the clause, saying it must be removed as they automatically qualified to be marriage officers and did not need to be appointed by the Justice minister.

Senator Chief Ngungumbane, born Zama Mkwananzi of Mberengwa, described the clause as discriminatory.

“The first one is, when I become a chief, I have to apply to you as the minister administering this Act. The word ‘may’ means that you can use your discretion to approve or disapprove that application of a chief. To me, that creates discrimination among the institution of chiefs,” Chief Ngungumbane said.

“I think by virtue of me being a chief, I automatically become a marriage officer. It should be automatic,” he said.

President of the Chiefs’ Council Chief Fortune Charumbira said: “When one is appointed a chief, all chiefs are equal. So, you cannot by operation of this Bill, start grading them and say this one is competent and that one in not.”

But Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi defended the clause, saying it was not discriminatory.

“What we are simply saying is we want chiefs to be made alive to what they would be doing in terms of solemnising the marriages of their people. I plead with chiefs that this is a very progressive clause that we cannot remove because if we remove it, it means that government will now accept marriages that may be void without any control or without any training of the very people that they would have allowed to be marriage officers,” Ziyambi said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Former University of Zimbabwe Sociology department chairman during the former first lady Grace Ntombizodwa Mugabe’s controversial PhD, Doctor Watch Ruparanganda has made some stunning claims before the court when he said that Grace Mugabe was a ghost student who appeared from nowhere.

Dr Ruparanganda who is a third witness in the trial of suspended University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura said some of his duties when he was a senior lecturer at UZ was to ensure that the enrollment of the students was per the regulations but he claimed whilst he was working there, he never came across Grace. He said he doesn’t know Grace and he believes she doesn’t know him either.

“I don’t even know Grace Mugabe and even if she was here she wouldn’t have known me, she just appeared from nowhere, and it was through the grapevine that I heard that she was graduating with a PHD degree,” he said.

Dr. Ruparangada further stated that Mugabe was a ghost student as the board did not have any knowledge of her and the topic she was researching. They only came to know about her when she was about to graduate.

He said as the board, they were supposed to have known her qualifications to avoid enrolling standard six students.

“Mugabe was supposed to have seen me as the chairman like what other candidates like Thokozani Khupe did,” he added.

According to The Herald, Dr. Ruparangada told the court that, Professor Nyagura knew very well that for one to supervise a PhD candidate, he or she had to have the qualifications but instead he chose to select an unqualified friend of his to supervise the ghost student.

The former Vice-Chancellor is facing criminal abuse of office charges. The charges stem from the degree that was awarded to the former first lady Grace Mugabe by the UZ’s Faculty of Social Studies Department of Sociology in 2014.

The degree attracted intense criticism and speculation after claims that Grace did not defend her thesis, let alone write one, and that she did not take the required period to complete the doctorate.

His trial kicked off on Thursday last week.

By A Correspondent-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has lost 450 MDC-T senior executives to the original MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

These executives defected to MDC-T during the Thokozani Khupe era.

This came out last week in Gwanda when the former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzora-led party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also re-joined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent- There was chaos at the burial of the Benza cousins in Mutasa’s Sambaza village in Nyanga last week with mourners demanding answers from the deceased’s family concerning the death of the two children.

It all started when Headman Sachirarwe asked the Benzas to tell the gathering what led them to name Solomon Manyama and Passmore Sambaza as the suspects who murdered Delan and Melissa Benza.

The Manica Post reports that a gathering hackled the family spokesperson, Johannes Benza, accusing him of not telling the truth.

Relatives also demanded to know the post-mortem results which the police said they were not in a position to share with the restive crowd.

The two seven-year-old cousins were killed last week on their way home from school. Search parties started searching for them but to no avail.

Their bodies with deep neck cuts and throats slit were only discovered the next day in a disused pit latrine toilet about 2km from the school. The bodies were discovered by students from Mbaza High School who had joined the search.

The Eastern Review had reported that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the horrific murder of two Grade 1 pupils which occurred in Nyanga last week.

48-year-old Solomon Munyama and Passmore Sambaza (age not given) were arrested for the murder of Dilan and Melissa Benza of Sambaza Village, in Nyanga. 

The two children were both aged 7.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that the police had recovered a blood-stained hoe from the home of one of the suspects.

By A Correspondent-At least 450 MDC-T senior executives have ditched the sinking party and rejoin the original MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

These executives defected to MDC-T during the Thokozani Khupe era.

This came out last week in Gwanda when the former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzora-led party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also re-joined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent | There has been massive fraud in Kariba resulting in residents being short changed, ZimEye hears. A local elder, Mr Clever Jemwa speaks over the matter in the following video, saying in the Shona vernacular:

“Chokwadi vagari veKariba vanoda kubatsirwa varipanguva yakaoma panehurongwa wekuti dzimba idzidzirikunzi hadzichaita kugarwa nevanhu kune kwavarikunzi vaendeswe.

“Saka vashandi vekanzuru vakuru vacho varikutorera vanhu dzimba kuti kuende Hama dzavo. Nevanovapa Mari taedza masangano akawanda tashaya rubatsiro.” VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has paid tribute to victims of the Aiforce of Zimbabwe helicopter crash.

The helicopter crashed into a house outside the capital Harare, killing a child and all three crew members.

The accident took place on Friday in Acturus, around 30 kilometres east of Harare.

President Chamisa urged the nation to pray for the families of the crash victims.

“My deepest condolences to the families of WCMG Thomas Manyowa, Flt Lt Anita Mapiye, Flt Sgt Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi and young Jade Fenyere who tragically died after a horrific AFZ helicopter crash.

May Jada and her mother injured in the crash find quick & full recovery! May God, The Father comfort all the affected families during this difficult period,” said President Chamisa in a brief statement.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has paid tribute to victims of the Aiforce of Zimbabwe helicopter crash.

The helicopter crashed into a house outside the capital Harare, killing a child and all three crew members.

The accident took place on Friday in Acturus, around 30 kilometres east of Harare.

President Chamisa urged the nation to pray for the families of the crash victims.

“My deepest condolences to the families of WCMG Thomas Manyowa, Flt Lt Anita Mapiye, Flt Sgt Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi and young Jade Fenyere who tragically died after a horrific AFZ helicopter crash.

May Jada and her mother injured in the crash find quick & full recovery! May God, The Father comfort all the affected families during this difficult period,” said President Chamisa in a brief statement.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has paid tribute to victims of the Aiforce of Zimbabwe helicopter crash.

The helicopter crashed into a house outside the capital Harare, killing a child and all three crew members.

The accident took place on Friday in Acturus, around 30 kilometres east of Harare.

President Chamisa urged the nation to pray for the families of the crash victims.

“My deepest condolences to the families of WCMG Thomas Manyowa, Flt Lt Anita Mapiye, Flt Sgt Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi and young Jade Fenyere who tragically died after a horrific AFZ helicopter crash.

May Jada and her mother injured in the crash find quick & full recovery! May God, The Father comfort all the affected families during this difficult period,” said President Chamisa in a brief statement.

By A Correspondent- A 30 year old man from Chakaipa Village under Chief Gwesela in Zhombe hanged himself at his in-law’s homestead following a misunderstanding with his wife over infidelity.

Peter Mlauzi hanged himself after discovering that his wife Blessing Manokore was having an affair. Chief Gwesela confirmed the development to B-Metro saying the village was still shocked by the incident.

“Mlauzi’s actions shocked the whole village and we’re still trying to come to terms with this unusual incident.

“He was a very hard-working man and he worked tirelessly as a gold panner to provide for his family and his in-laws,” he said.

Chief Gwesela said on the fateful day, Mlauzi discovered that his wife was having an affair with another man from the village.

“Upon hearing the news of his wife’s illicit affair, he felt betrayed and he decided to end his life by hanging himself at his mother-in-law’s homestead,” said Chief Gwesela.

He said Mlauzi had since been buried. Chief Gwesela also said that he was yet to meet the Manokores so that a cleansing ceremony is conducted as the incident could be a bad omen to the village.

“I am meeting with the family next week so that we conduct a cleansing ceremony to help appease Mlauzi’s spirit because if that is not done, we might have problems,” he said.

He appealed to members of the public to always seek intervention from a third party in cases of disputes.-bmetro

By A Correspondent- In a dramatic incident, a Form Four pupil at Lobengula High School in Bulawayo stabbed his classmate on the shoulder with an okapi knife as punishment for poking fun at him while in class.

According to a source at the school, the mini-drama which lasted about 10 minutes happened on Monday outside the school premises.

The source said while Mike Siziba (16) and his classmate Simbarashe Manjokota were a few metres away from the school premises, heading home, their fellow classmate Keith Mlauzi (17) approached them while huffing in heavy anger.

“He started accusing Mike of being in the habit of poking fun at him when in class thereby belittling him. The situation became tense as the angry Keith started to push and shove Mike,” said a teacher who requested strict anonymity.

The situation spiralled out of control and Keith being on a mission to settle a score, fumbled in his pocket and took out a knife and stabbed Mike on the shoulder.

“He left the knife stuck on his shoulder and ran away. Mike writhed in agony. Luckily a senior teacher arrived at the scene and rendered first aid on him before he phoned an ambulance which came after about 30 minutes. He was ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was treated,” said the teacher.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident: “We arrested a 17-year-old student who stabbed his classmate after he accused him of poking fun at him in class. We condemn school bullying and would like to warn such learners who engage in bullying, that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.”

By A Correspondent- A man from Nyanga, Manicaland Province, recently confessed before a traditional court that he was a wizard and had acquired the charms from a Malawian traditional healer based in Marondera.

Isaiah Munembe’s relatives are now baying for his blood and demanding that he releases them from his wizardry web.

Munembe’s relatives brought him to Chief Saunyama’s court, with his younger brother, Anthony Munembe, and his sister-in-law Maybe Saunyama accusing him of sending his snake to kill their child, Anthony Junior.

Anthony Junior died recently from a snake bite and two weeks after his burial, the snake was spotted at the Munembe homestead attempting to attack his two siblings. In his confession before Chief Saunyama’s court, Isaiah said:

I used to walk on a wire and I was famous because of the theatrics. I had a large following but little to show for it.

However, after getting some ‘anointment oil’, my financial fortunes changed

I did not know that by applying python oil every night, the snake was finding its way into my life and setting base at my family home in Nyanga.

Little did I also know that I was being initiated into wizardry. While everyone was fast asleep, I would be up and roaming the village

Isaiah also told the court that he did not know if he was the one responsible for the death of his nephew.

However, Anthony Junior’s mother told the court that after her son was bitten by the snake, Munembe came looking for it and told them where to bury the deceased and the disappeared.

A Nyanga traditional healer, Sekuru Shingirayi Mukotsanjera, removed a stone, a needle, marijuana, and a small mirror from Isaiah’s body.

During the session with Sekuru Mukotsanjera, Munembe shocked everyone when he allegedly removed a sewing needle from his relative only identified as Mai Ndlovu.

Mai Ndlovu had reportedly been complaining of pain in her knee for many years.-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- Seven Zimbabweans, including a man from Gweru who brutally murdered his wife and left their six-month-old son suckling from the corpse, have been placed on the International Police Organisation (Interpol) most wanted list for evading arrest after allegedly committing serious offences.

Tanaka Rusike (33) from Gweru, who has been on the run since December 2017, is wanted for allegedly killing his spouse, Nozipho Tecla Mpofu, in cold blood and leaving their child suckling and cuddling his mother’s corpse for nearly 24 hours before the crime was discovered.

Alert neighbours discovered the child beside his mother’s lifeless body after he started crying the following morning.

The seven are among 7 600 criminals who have been placed on Interpol’s Red Notice and are wanted for committing offences ranging from terrorism, corruption, human trafficking and escaping lawful custody.

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The notice is issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence after judicial proceedings in the country issuing the request.

Interpol has issued 34 Red Notices for fugitives wanted in 15 SADC countries, with Eswatini (14) accounting for the most wanted fugitives followed by South Africa (9).

However, Interpol does not publish the names of all wanted criminals, a deliberate tactic to avoid alerting fugitives who will likely limit travelling once they are aware of a Red Notice against their name.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Sunday Mail yesterday that Rusike has been on the run for more than three years.

“I can confirm that Tanaka Rusike of Gweru is on the Red Notice list,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“He is wanted in connection with a murder case involving his wife which took place in 2017.

“Being placed on the Red Notice indicates that he is wanted and can be arrested anywhere in the world where he is located.”

Interpol is also looking for Bornface Madunusa (34) of Gokwe, who is wanted by police to answer to charges of murder and has also been placed on the most wanted list.

In 2018, Madunusa, who was based at 5 Infantry, Battlefields in Kwekwe allegedly murdered his 28-year-old wife Eunice Marimbire by strangling her with a rope after accusing her of infidelity.

He fled from the scene leaving Marimbire’s body lying on the floor, covered by blankets before it was discovered by his landlord the following morning.

Moreblessing Mavuso (46) from Bulawayo, who is also on the Red Notice, is wanted by police in Eswatini for fraud and corruption.

According to Eswatini media reports, Mavuso, who was married to former parliamentarian Machawe Mavuso, disappeared soon after she was charged for making fraudulent payments while working for the country’s Finance Ministry as an assistant accountant.

Two of her accomplices who worked in the Ministry of Agriculture were arrested and appeared in court.

Mavuso is alleged to have taken a three-week leave from work after being summoned by the Eswatini civil service commission to answer to the fraud charges.

She, however, did not report back to work when her leave lapsed.

South African police, through Interpol, are looking for Andrew Ndlovu (31), who also uses the alias Andrea Druza, from Gweru to answer to allegations of house breaking and murder.

Xolani Dube (26) and Tumelo Moyo (27) are wanted in Botswana to answer to charges of escaping from lawful custody.

Police are also looking for Travor Manata (42) from Hwedza who is wanted for allegedly committing murder.

Interpol is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 190 member countries, including Zimbabwe, whose work includes facilitating cross-border collaboration between law enforcement organisations.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Goodwin Matanga has pleaded with the government to urgently provide accommodation for 30 000 police officers who are reportedly renting private accommodation.

Matanga said the current set up is affecting the officers’ execution of their duties at the same time endangering their security.

Speaking during his visit to Masvingo police on Thursday last week, Matanga said:

I wish to place on record that, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has only 12 000 housing units that are accommodating 18 760 police officers. Of these, 10 945 are sharing. Resultantly, over 30 000 police officers are renting private accommodation, a situation that compromises the security of our members. It is, therefore, my fervent hope and prayer that Government urgently intervenes.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe also remarked that the shortage of accommodation among police officers was a major concern.

He said:

Certainly, resource constraints manifest through an array of challenges, key among them being the shortage of residential and office accommodation, transport and non-payment of travelling and subsistence allowances. The shortage of accommodation which has, unfortunately, resulted in some members seeking private rental accommodation has always been a cause of concern.

This position is unpleasant given that apart from compromising the security of members, it also has huge financial implications. To that end, efforts are being made to ensure police officers and members get decent accommodation.

Kazembe said the government was aware of the challenges the ZRP was facing adding that efforts are being made to improve police effectiveness through the procurement of more operational vehicles-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Bindura woman has been convicted for assaulting her husband’s girlfriend after she found them being intimate at their matrimonial home.

Violet Chapfunya from Garikai suburb appeared before Bindura magistrate Samantha Dhlamini facing an assault charge. Chapfunya pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a month behind bars.

The magistrate, however, wholly suspended the sentence on the condition that she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

Prosecutor Shiella Kudzai Maribha said on April 21 Chapfunya caught her husband, whose name was not mentioned in court, being intimate with Portia Arifanari and the husband fled.

In a fit of rage, Chapfunya then assaulted Arifanari with open hands.

A Bindura woman has been convicted for assaulting her husband’s girlfriend after she found them being intimate at their matrimonial home.

Violet Chapfunya from Garikai suburb appeared before Bindura magistrate Samantha Dhlamini facing an assault charge. Chapfunya pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a month behind bars.

The magistrate, however, wholly suspended the sentence on the condition that she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

Prosecutor Shiella Kudzai Maribha said on April 21 Chapfunya caught her husband, whose name was not mentioned in court, being intimate with Portia Arifanari and the husband fled.

In a fit of rage, Chapfunya then assaulted Arifanari with open hands.-standard

The Harare City Council is threatening to unleash debt collectors, disconnect water supplies and take legal action on all ratepayers who are in arrears for rates with the local authority.

In some parts of Harare, the Local authority has dispatched letters of demand in a bid to coerce ratepayers to pay their dues.

“Before commencing legal proceedings in terms of the legislation, I am obliged to demand full payment of the amount stated above within 14 days of this notice, failing which, legal action will be effected without further warning to you, with costs charge to your account”, reads part of the letter from the Treasury Department.

A New Mabvuku resident who was in receipt of the letter of “final demand” from the local authority said, “It should be residents dragging the Council to court for non-provision of services, right now I live with raw sewerage which they can’t repair, no water we will also organize court action this is not fair.” 

The City is also threatening to disconnect water supplies to all its debtors and claims that it is now owed ZWL$5 Billion.

The demand for full payment of debts comes at a time when the local authority is not providing the services which it is claiming payment for which some areas have gone for more than 10 years without water, toilets flooded with sewer and piles of uncollected garbage have become permanent features in high density areas.

On its social media platform, the Harare City Council has warned “Will soon deploy debt collectors to collect all outstanding amounts. The best thing is to do a payment plan now.”

In 2018 the use of debt collectors was declared unlawful after Well Cash Debt Collectors were hired by the City of Harare were declared unlawful as  it violated section 9(2)(b) of the Legal Practitioners Act 27:07.

Residents are entitled to law and have a legal right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and fair in terms of Section 68 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The recent astronomic increases of rates by more than 400% premised on a faulty software currently used for billing by the local authority have casted doubt over the authenticity of the Council bills.

Some residents who have been religiously paying rates received ballooned bills with payments they have made to the local authority not captured or deducted.

Ratepayers across the City have been flocking to CHRA offices seeking for assistance over their ballooned bills. “I have paid every month my rates in full but am surprised that I now owe council ZWL30 000”, said a dejected Highfields woman.

CHRA reiterates its position that the amounts which the City is claiming to be owed are founded on a chaotic, shambolic and non-functional billing system hence there is a need for a real debt audit for the City debt.

CHRA also warns ratepayers not to be coerced to enter into payment plans on amounts of debts they are not agreeable to with the local authority and they should pay for services rendered.

We further call upon the City of Harare to depart from the SAGE Pastel software it is using for billing and payments and find an effective software that has the ability to show the balance after payments are made in real time.

By A Correspondent- Owners whose cattle were stolen by the recently nabbed Bikiti syndicate are crying foul amid revelations that several dockets where they had reported that their cattle had been stolen have disappeared from the police.

According to a whistleblower, there is rampant corruption on the matter in a development which may see the affected farmers losing their recovered cattle.

Said the source:

“Please help to expose the corruption on the issue of stock theft in Bikita. The cattle have been found but for them to be returned to the owners, some dockets have suddenly gone missing.”

Last week, the police busted a cattle rustling syndicate which had terrorised Bikita.

Said the ZRP in a statement:

By A Correspondent- A furious Chinese national, who said he was frustrated by his fellow countrymen at work in Glendale, Mashonaland Central province, picked an axe and struck his colleague on the hand.

The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates’ courts on Friday where Chogwen Jia (49) appeared before magistrate Samantha Dhlamini facing an attempted murder charge.

Prosecutor Shiella Kudzai Maribha alleged that on November 30 last year and at Casterly investments in Glendale, Chogwen had a misunderstanding with his colleague Biliang Tan (55) over working conditions.

In the scuffle, Jia picked up an axe and struck Tan on the hand resulting in him sustaining a deep cut and was rushed to the hospital where he was treated and discharged. A police report was made leading to Chogwen’s arrest.

The case continues on May 7.-standard

Nashtv has issued a statement after an artiste contract with the company had leaked. There have been concerns that Nashtv is exploiting artistes who are very desperate for exposure. We present Nashtv’s statement in full below.

We have always considered ourselves a platform by the people, for the people and for that reason we value public views and feedback to the work we do. Due to the public outcry concerning some of our contracts with artists, we have taken it upon ourselves to realese all the copyrights to Color Vibes videos, Hotspot Videos and Live Shows that we have done. Any artiste who recorded with us and wants to claim the copyright to their song, should feel free to do that.

The leaked contract was designed to give the company maximum protection especially after paying the artist the agreed figure for the music or video In full. Our main thrust is to help turn Zimbabwean art sector into a self-funding industry and doing so in a sustainable way which safeguards our interests and investment over time.

Going forward we are working on a new contract and we will reach out to all arts stakeholders, critics included so that we come up with a contract which seeks to protect not only ourselves but the artist as well. We will have the contracts debates live on air until we come up with a solid win-win contract.

We are also opening our financials to public scrutiny and these will demonstrate that as Nash Group we have not made any profits from Nashtv. Financial gain was never the driving factor in this venture. We are solely driven by the desire to grow the arts industry and bring a feel-good experience to our country as proven over time.

Thank you for your continued support and feedback to our quest for a viable and rewarding arts industry. We have faith in the 10031 arts industry and we will continue learning as we go.

-nashpaints

By A Correspondent- It has emerged that a polygamous Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, initially allegedly held hostage his son and his cousin for two hours while waiting for their mothers whom he later shot.

He shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, a Kwekwe-based car dealer and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

Dube also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34).

Nyaradzo’s 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dube’s son with Nyasha, narrowly escaped death after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe.

Speaking to The Sunday News on Saturday, she said:

One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mother’s passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8 pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back.

When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10 pm.

She said the police found the children outside the house and assumed the situation was now under control and left but Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

She continued:

Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well.

Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Hiace that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver in the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mother’s friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her in the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help.

The Sunday News reports that the two sisters, Nyasha and Nyaradzo, who are battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital are said to have undergone a lifesaving surgery yesterday.

Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said police were still looking for Dube who allegedly contacted his friend and police on Friday promising to hand himself over. He is on the run.

By A Correspondent- A child marriage survivor in Shamva, Samantha Chidodo, has performed well at her A’Levels scoring 12 points. 

Rozaria Memorial Trust chief executive, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, revealed the achievement narrating how the organization helped her get back into school to survive child marriage. Samantha is now looking forward to starting university.

A’Level results came out a few days ago.

Narrated Gumbonzvanda:

Samantha Chidodo, Nailed it! 12 points at A Level. I am over the moon with joy.

4 Years ago, Chief Bushu approached RMT requesting if we can support this girl who experienced child marriage and is passionate about going back to school.

We took Samantha in through our Education Assistance program. She passed her O levels and we immediately supported her to continue.

She went kwaJiti, a school in Shamva district just near pa Chakonda. As we paid her fees, she had to do vegetable vending to support herself and her child. She stays with parents, both are not working.

Last year she formed a community Nhanga which has over 60 other girls and they encourage each other to read, raise their income and to be responsible in relationships. The Chief promised to give them land for their agribusiness.

Now Samantha is a game changer. She has now been a speaker at many regional platforms. During CSW she was on a special global panel hosted by #OHCHR. Samantha wants to be a lawyer, and her road is now open.

As Rozaria Memorial Trust, we say congratulations to Sama, the sky is the limit. All we have to do now is to mobilise for funding so that she can enroll at the Uni, and wants she is in, the rest is doable. We are reaching out to those who provide scholarships to girls like Sama.

By A Correspondent- The former Sports Editor at Chronicle, Innocent Kurwa (63) died last night in a road accident after his car was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle in Bulawayo.

Chronicle reports that the other car encroached onto Kurwa’s lane along Leopold Takawira Avenue shortly after 11 PM near Ascot Shopping Centre, Bulawayo.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the death of the veteran journalist adding that they have opened a docket of culpable homicide charges against the driver of the offending car.

He said:

Two cars, a Nissan Almera and Jaguar were involved in a head on collision along Leopold Takawira Avenue near Ascot Shopping Centre on Saturday at around 11.30 PM. The driver of the Nissan Almera died on spot after he was trapped in the wreckage while the other motorists sustained injuries and was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

The deceased is Innocent Kurwa (63) of Sunninghill suburb in Bulawayo.

The driver of the Jaguar was speeding and failed to control his car resulting in him encroaching onto the lane of oncoming traffic resulting in a head on. He is being charged for culpable homicide.

Kurwa was coming from the city centre while the driver of the Jaguar, who was coming from the opposite direction encroached onto the lane of oncoming traffic resulting in a head-on collision.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is allegedly under pressure from Zanu-PF bigwigs to act on his trusted corruption buster Tabani Mpofu whom they accuse of extortion.

Mpofu is the head of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu), which is housed in the president’s office.

According to sources, Mnangagwa was last week given a dossier that contained allegations that Mpofu and his Sacu were extorting prominent businesspeople targeted for arrest on suspicion of committing various crimes.

One of them is Pedzai Sakupwanya, also known as Scott, who was allegedly made to pay an unknown sum of money to have his case swept under the carpet.

Sacu allegedly arrested a Chinese national only identified as Mr Foi who was working with Sakupwanya at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga.

The mine was at the centre of a dispute between Sakupwanya’s Betterbrands and Probadek Investment, whose directors include Patricia Mtombgwera and Grant Chitate.

Sukupwanya and Foi were being accused of fraud, but the case was allegedly “killed” by the Sacu team.

However, it is a case involving a tycoon from Manicaland where Sacu investigators allegedly demanded payment for cover-up, which incensed Zanu-PF bigwigs in the province.

Defence minister Oppah Kashiri is said to have blown the lid on the alleged extortion attempts by the Sacu investigators after she was informed by Chipinge South MP Enock Porusingazi.

Kashiri is said to have met Mnangagwa over the matter.

Initially Porusingazi was vague about his involvement in the matter.

“I have never met Tabani myself, but if your story glorifies that I exposed corruption, then I have no issue with that,” he said.

“At least it helps show the world that corruption can be fought.”

After two days, Porusingazi sent a text message saying: “I never dealt with the Sacu guys at all.”

Mpofu told The Standard that he was not aware of corruption allegations against him.

“I am not aware of the subject you are talking of,” he said.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said reports that Mpofu had been reprimanded by the president were mere “fabrications”.

“Those are mere fabrications making rounds on social media,” Charamba told The Standard.

“Mpofu is still in charge.

“The Special Anti-Corruption Unit is an important institution on issues of accountability and transparency, hence the citizens would have been advised of any
changes in the unit.”

Sacu has been accused of only targeting Mnangagwa’s opponents while turning a blind eye to corruption by those close to the ruling party and government.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Government parastatal Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) Zimbabwe has reduced its top managers to illegal Mshikashika car operators.

The quasi-government department is paying its managers a paltry ZWD5 000.00 leaving them with no option but to turn company cars into illegal Mshikashikas.

One of its managers who has turned his official car into a Mshikashika is the parastatal’s Bindura branch manager, identified as Mr Chando.

Mr Chando is now plying the Bindura-Matepatepa route using the company’s pick-up truck, before and after his official working hours.

Mr Chando is also said to be demanding fuel money from clients who would have applied for loans for him to visit their projects for his approval.

SEDCO policy does not allow clients to pay for site visits by the parastatal staff, but Chando is said to be doing this so that he augments his meagre salary.

SEDCO workers who spoke to this publication but refused to be named for fear of victimisation said, the parastatal had neglected them.

“ We are suffering while the top management in Harare where our head office is are enjoying. They are giving us money which is not even enough to pay for rentals. What do can you buy with 5000 RTGs, to be honest?”. Said the workers.

Efforts by Zimeye.com to get a comment from the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises, Sithembiso Nyoni whose portfolio oversees and commands SEDCO’s operations were fruitless.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mazowe District party coordinator Simon Stewart has been embroiled in a bribery storm and fanning factionalism.

Sources from Mazowe branch allege he is getting bribes and causing confusing for his selfish gains.

Said a source:

“The fights in Mazowe are being caused by the party coordinator, he is greedy hence he is taking bribes from senior guys and fanning factionalism by  disrupting some of the meetings from other members,” lamented a source who refused to be named.

Another reliable source accused Stewart of abusing the party vehicle and sleeping with married women.

“There is a big problem here in our district the coordinator is abusing the party vehicle going with it in different bars and using it to carry married women to different places where he is sleeping with them in the name of the party,” she added.

The disgruntled members also said action should be taken as that will divide votes in 2023.

Stewart was not picking his calls up to the time of this writing.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance says leaders of the rival MDC-T in Matabeleland South are tracing their footsteps back to the party after initially joining the Douglas Mwonzora-led outfit.

Former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzoraled party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also rejoined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu-PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu-PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

“They want closure to the unresolved Gukurahundi conflict and cannot stomach all those who support perpetrators of the genocide,” he said.

“The people are clear the best foot forward in that regard is president Chamisa.” Mwonzora left the MDC Alliance last year after the Supreme Court ruled that Chamisa’s succession of MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.

The Manicaland senator beat Khupe for the presidency of the party at an extraordinary congress in December last year.

By A Correspondent-The people of Matabeleland South have endorsed MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa and rejected Douglas Mwonzor’s sinking MDC-T small faction.

Chamisa received the endorsement last week in Gwanda when the former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the MDC-Alliance party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzora-led party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also re-joined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent-The Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, has hinted on handing over himself to the police.

On Friday morning Gweru woke up to the news of a frenzied gun attack, in which prominent car dealer Peter Dube (35) shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

He also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34). Nyaradzo’s 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dube’s son with Nyasha, survived death by a whisker after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe. She narrated the ordeal to Sunday News yesterday.

“One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mother’s passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back,” she said.

“When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

“My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10pm,” she said.

She said when the police arrived and found the children outside, they assumed that the situation was under control and left. However, Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

“Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well,” she said.

The 16-year old said Dube suddenly went berserk and shot the alleged boyfriend Chinhango, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo.

“Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Haice that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver on the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mother’s friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her on the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help,” she said.

By A Correspondent-The Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, it has emerged that he initially allegedly held hostage his son and his cousin for two hours while waiting for their mothers whom he later shot.

In addition, he also pointed the firearm at the two children but was refrained by one of the women whom he later shot and is battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital. On Friday morning Gweru woke up to the news of a frenzied gun attack, in which prominent car dealer Peter Dube (35) shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

He also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34). Nyaradzo’s 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dube’s son with Nyasha, survived death by a whisker after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe. She narrated the ordeal to Sunday News yesterday.

“One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mother’s passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back,” she said.

“When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

“My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10pm,” she said.

She said when the police arrived and found the children outside, they assumed that the situation was under control and left. However, Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

“Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well,” she said.

The 16-year old said Dube suddenly went berserk and shot the alleged boyfriend Chinhango, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo.

“Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Haice that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver on the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mother’s friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her on the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help,” she said.

By A Correspondent-As the country continues to digest the news of a polygamous Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, it has emerged that he initially allegedly held hostage his son and his cousin for two hours while waiting for their mothers whom he later shot.

In addition, he also pointed the firearm at the two children but was refrained by one of the women whom he later shot and is battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital. On Friday morning Gweru woke up to the news of a frenzied gun attack, in which prominent car dealer Peter Dube (35) shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

He also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34). Nyaradzo’s 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dube’s son with Nyasha, survived death by a whisker after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe. She narrated the ordeal to Sunday News yesterday.

“One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mother’s passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back,” she said.

“When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

“My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10pm,” she said.

She said when the police arrived and found the children outside, they assumed that the situation was under control and left. However, Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

“Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well,” she said.

The 16-year old said Dube suddenly went berserk and shot the alleged boyfriend Chinhango, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo.

“Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Haice that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver on the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mother’s friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her on the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help,” she said.

The two sisters who are battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital are said to have undergone a lifesaving surgery yesterday. Dube is still on the run but sources said he contacted his friend and police later on Friday and promised to hand himself over. Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said police were still looking for him.

-State media 

By A Correspondent-At least 450 MDC-T senior executives have deserted the Douglas Mwonzora and rejoined the original MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.

These executives defected to MDC-T during the Thokozani Khupe era.

This came out last week in Gwanda when the former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzora-led party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also re-joined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent-As the country continues to digest the news of a polygamous Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, it has emerged that he initially allegedly held hostage his son and his cousin for two hours while waiting for their mothers whom he later shot.

In addition, he also pointed the firearm at the two children but was refrained by one of the women whom he later shot and is battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital. On Friday morning Gweru woke up to the news of a frenzied gun attack, in which prominent car dealer Peter Dube (35) shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

He also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34). Nyaradzo’s 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dube’s son with Nyasha, survived death by a whisker after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe. She narrated the ordeal to Sunday News yesterday.

“One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mother’s passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back,” she said.

“When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

“My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10pm,” she said.

She said when the police arrived and found the children outside, they assumed that the situation was under control and left. However, Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

“Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well,” she said.

The 16-year old said Dube suddenly went berserk and shot the alleged boyfriend Chinhango, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo.

“Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Haice that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver on the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mother’s friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her on the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help,” she said.

The two sisters who are battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital are said to have undergone a lifesaving surgery yesterday. Dube is still on the run but sources said he contacted his friend and police later on Friday and promised to hand himself over. Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said police were still looking for him.

-State media 

By A Correspondent-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has been deserted by hundreds of members who had defected to his faction during the Thokozani Khupe era.

This came out last week in Gwanda when the former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

Sibanda resigned from the Mwonzora-led party.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

“Edmore Nkomo, a former leader of our party, who went with Khupe, has come back and almost all of those who went away with him in Insiza district are back.

“The Chamisa-led party is growing big here and we are so excited.”

Another bigwig who had gone with Khupe, Mbiyezwe Nare, has also re-joined MDC Alliance in Gwanda district, Ndlela said.

“We welcome home all these comrades. MDC Alliance is home for all who seriously want a better Zimbabwe,” he added.

“We are getting ready to take over power from the failed government of Zanu PF.”

He claimed that people in Matabeleland were “fast seeing that Mwonzora and Khupe are a Zanu PF project”.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

-The Standard

By James Gwati-The bankrupt Grain Marketing Board has deployed its security officers at all police roadblocks throughout the country where they are looking for trucks carrying maize bought from farmers.

GMB, through statutory instrument 145/2019 is the sole buyer of maize grain from farmers.

The repressive regulations make it an offence for anyone to be found with more than five 50kg bags of maize grain.

GMB pays farmers in local currency which never comes fears that farmers could bypass them and sell their produce to millers who pay in instant foreign currency.

GMB claims that it has so far bought than 6 000 tonnes of maize from farmers this year.