By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a suspected murder case of a 52-year-old Gweru woman who was found dead with injuries suggesting she was stoned to death.

Gladys Frank’s body was found along a footpath near Gweru’ Megawat complex.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the deceased woman was found by a passerby Sunday while lying in a pool of blood with her head crushed with huge stones.

Insp Mahoko added that the police Investigations into the murder case were underway. He said:

Police who attended the scene discovered that the head of the deceased had serious injuries indicating her attackers could have used huge stones and concrete blocks to crush the head._

The report comes as police are seized with a shooting case that also happened in the Midlands Province capital. The alleged shooter is said to be on the run while two of his victims were recently discharged from hospital while the other two died on the night of the shooting.

The government has said commuter omnibuses (Kombis) that are plying rural routes are allowed on the roads even without any registration with the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).

The move comes amid pressure from private buses and kombis operators to allow their vehicles back on the road.

Private owned kombis and buses were barred off the road last year as a way to curb the transmission of the novel coronavirus and the government is determined to block kombis off the road for some time.

Speaking during last Wednesday’s National Assembly’s Question and Answer session in Parliament, Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo, said:

Commuter omnibuses and buses which go to rural areas do not need to go to CMED or register with Zupco. If the Ministry gives them a licence to operate, that is what they use and nothing was disturbed._

However, because in urban areas most of the places are tarred, this is where the mushika-shika or illegal operators flood creating chaos._

Minister Moyo said the government is buying more Zupco buses with the intention of reaching out to all areas in the country.

The Kazungula bridge launch programme has further exposed lies by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that Zimbabwe is part of the project.

According to the programme, Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana) and Edgar Lungu (Zambia) are listed as the host heads of state while Mnangagwa, Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Felipe Nyusi (Mozambique) are among the guest heads of state.

See the programme…

Mike Chimombe, a Harare-based lawyer and socialite, has apologised to the Office of the President (OPC) after he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House on Saturday while wearing tattered jeans.

Chimombe, who is Phillip Chiyangwa’s nephew and the president of the Affirmative Action Group (AAG), said he was invited to State House at short notice and had no time to dress properly.

Following a public rebuke by Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana for his unbecoming dressing, Chimombe posted his apology on Instagram. He wrote:

Reference is made to a tweet by Cde Nick Mangwana about my dressing when we visited H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday.

On behalf of the AAG and in my individual capacity I wish to sincerely apologize to the office of the President and Cabinet, Zanu PF and all fellow Zimbabweans for my dressing.

It’s unfortunate the meeting was given a green light unexpectedly and I could not get time to rush home and change into formal wear.

As it was a weekend I was dressed in casual and did not expect to be lucky enough to interact with the first Citizen, I agree with Cde Mangwana my dressing was inappropriate and I promise that oversight will be corrected in future.

I had no intention whatsoever of disrespecting the HIGHEST office of our beloved revolutionary FATHER and LEADER PAR EXCELLENCE.

As Youths with the steward leadership of the second republic, our lives have begun shaping up and as your children, we make mistakes and stand to be corrected. Thank you Cde Mangwana, point well taken.

Mangwana had rebuked Chimombe for his “shabby’ dressing on microblogging site, saying the latter disrespected the Head of State. Mangwana tweeted:

Look guys, there is a certain kind of dressing which you just can’t do when you are going to meet the Head of State and President of your country. That’s just disrespectful to both the man and the office. If you can’t go kwatezvara wakadaro (to your father in law dressed like that) then don’t for the President.

By A Correspondent- Aspiring models were allegedly duped of their money by Dexter Munashe Chiponda, of little-known modelling agent Face of Africa.

The trio of Delene January, Tadiwanashe Shambira and Tatenda Tarasana became the victims late last year.

January and Shambira were swindled of US$40, while Tarasana was conned of R377 which she sent via mobile service company Mukuru.

Chiponda also allegedly requested nude images of January and Shambira and made sexual advances on the former.

The trio opened up recently in a WhatsApp group for the movement Models Against Abuse initiated by Lucia “Lucie Bardie” Mazhou.

“We initially paid US$10 to join Chiponda’s Face of Africa and the coach was Mr Slim. The organisation had just four models. I suggested cargo skirts, cargo pants and T-shirts with the agency’s logo for easy identification since Dexter was organising a workshop. He welcomed the idea and asked us to pay US$ 15 for a cargo skirt and US$ 10 for a T-shirt in total US$25,” January said.

“I then gave him US$40 since I had no exact amount of US$25, but he didn’t give me the US$15 change. We later learnt that he was squandering people’s money. He never paid anything to anyone. His graphic designer only got US$20 from March to November last year.”

January also accused Chiponda of improperly touching her and requesting nude pictures.

“When we gave him our pictures, he said we looked old suggesting that we were supposed to expose our bodies. He then sent us the type of pictures he expected. I laughed, quizzing him if this was not going to ruin my dream to get married. He then said ‘you never know, maybe I am the one who is going to marry you’. I laughed and told him that I didn’t want to be married to a Zimbabwean. Eventually, I sent him a picture of someone in a lingerie pant,” she said.

“On September 23, he moved his hand on my thighs and hands when he had called me for a meeting at Oxbow at Angwa City Mall. I was quick to warn and advise him to stick to business.”

January added: “He also had affairs with some models and unfairly removed some from his WhatsApp platform. At one point, he asked a certain lady to send him her picture while clad in an undergarment, claiming that he wanted to forward it to a company which advertises pants.”

Shambira confirmed that Chiponda requested her nude pictures, adding that they looked for help from all corners, but their efforts were fruitless.

“At first, he (Chiponda) was a really nice guy till he started asking me to be a glamour model. He asked me to be shot while naked. I listened to him the first time, he began to ask for nude pictures when at home saying I want to see your new look,” she said.

“That is when I decided to ask our then coach (Mr Slim) about glamour modelling and he said that was not good for people of our age. That time we were 17 and he discouraged us from venturing into that kind of modelling.”

Contacted for comment, Chiponda disputed the allegations.

“When people are at loggerheads with someone, they don’t have to lie because the story might turn against them. About sexual advancements and nudes, it’s a lie. They said they are glamour models and that is the reason why I avoided going for shoots with them. Glamour modelling is a personal choice and no one is forced, one does it out of her own consent,” he said.

“There are two sides to every coin. Coming to monetary issues, it’s not Shambira whom I dealt with, but Delene only. Delene ordered a personalised T-shirt and cargo skirt. Her merchandise was delayed since lithography is not an essential service provider. So COVID-19 restrictions came into play. Out of emotions, they both left our WhatsApp group.”

Chiponda alleged that the models had also breached their contracts.

“I did not issue them any certificates because leaving without completing a set task was breaching a contract. Later on when her merchandise was ready, she asked for compensation and I explained that the delay was beyond anyone’s control. I have her stuff, but she insisted on monetary compensation,” he said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Sunday intercepted gold bars worth R11 million at OR Tambo International Airport.

Preliminary investigations by the Hawks revealed that the suspect had travelled from Harare to Johannesburg.

This was revealed by Faith Mazibuko, a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Government.

Mazibuko, however, did not divulge the suspect’s nationality, age or gender as the Hawks continued with investigations.

She tweeted:

The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million were seized for further investigation.

By A Correspondent- Zimdancehall chanter, Seh Calaz born Tawanda Mumanyi is under fire over his remarks on Ndebele King Lobengula whom he claimed sold the country for short-lived gains.

A newly formed pressure group, Inhlokomo YeSizwe, whose objective is to fight discrimination “in all its forms as engineered by consecutive Zanu-pf governments,” has criticised Seh Calaz saying his Lobengula remarks were an insult to the Ndebele Nation. The action-orientated mass movement said:

On May 8, 2021, Pindula News published a nauseating report from Seh Calaz insulting the late Ndebele king, HRH King Lobengula and the whole of the Ndebele nation. In his ill-advised advice to musicians to save for a rainy day and to engage in lucrative financial deals, he chose to single out the Ndebele King as an example of bad negotiation.

Below is the quotation as reported in Pindula News online:

_He likened mortgaging one’s future for short-term exposure to Lobengula, a Ndebele King who reportedly “sold” the country to British fortune hunters in the 19th century for a few hundred pounds. Seh Calaz posted on Facebook:_

_He went further to claim that King Lobengula sold the country for short term gain. If this Tawanda Mumanyi, has a poor grasp of history, why did he not look closer to home where his direct ancestors are still parcelling out land and mineral resources for peanuts to the new Chinese colonisers. We have not heard him condemn this. Surely if he was looking for examples of poor management of personal and national resources he could have started by checking what is happening right under his nose in his own back yard._

Since it is clear that this was a calculated attack on the Ndebele nation and Mthwakazi nation as a whole, we would like to demand that this story be taken down from Pindula News and Facebook for lack of decorum. In addition, on behalf of all self-respecting people of Mthwakazi, Inhlokomo YeSizwe demands an immediate public apology.  Failure to that will see our pressure group take matters into their own hands the next time Seh Calaz sets foot in Matabeleland.

Seh Calaz made the Lobengula remarks in a warning targeted at Zimbabwean artistes amid allegations that some promoters and or producers were exploiting them.

He spoke after a NASHTV-artiste contract that suggested that NASHTV was exploiting artistes had leaked.

Police have launched investigations into allegations that Douglas Mwonzora stole $6 million from MDC-T coffers in the run-up to the party’s elective congress last year, piling pressure on the beleaguered politician whom critics say is cosying up to the ruling Zanu-PF party to avoid prosecution.

Mwonzora’s former aide and party activist, Patson Murimoga, who said he reported the case to the police and Zimbabwe AntiCorruption Commission, appears to have the support of party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and other senior executives.

Murimoga told NewsDay yesterday that he felt the delay in arresting Mwonzora was because political considerations were taking precedence over justice.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, however, yesterday confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

“I can confirm that we received that case, and it is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department,” Nyathi said.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba rubbished the allegations of theft, arguing that Murimoga was not an influential party member.

“First, you need to understand that Murimoga has no locus standi to speak about party finances because he is not a member of the finance and administration committee. He was just a band member, a praise singer for the party and it ends there,” Damba said.

“You must also understand that the finances of the party are not administered by an individual, but by a committee, and the party account has more than three signatories and not an individual.”

But Murimoga claimed that MDC-T supporters were not happy because of the missing money and the lack of explanation from Mwonzora.

“We had the Elias Mashavira case that he sponsored, but we never had (Morgan) Tsvangirai firing him. He also was behind cases that fought (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa, but he was not fired from the party. I am tempted to think that the people he fought accusing them of being undemocratic were actually better than him,” he said.

Mwonzora accuses losing MDC-T presidential candidates for pushing Murimoga to get him arrested over the alleged missing $6 million, which he says could be accounted for.

Last week during a party meeting, top executives of the party, including Khupe, were ordered to leave for defying a directive to withdraw financial impropriety charges they filed against the party leader.

The resolution to purge defiant executives was read out to Khupe and her team last Wednesday following a national standing committee meeting held two weeks ago.

Besides Khupe, Mwonzora’s axe is also likely to fall on party chairperson Morgen Komichi, Chief Ndlovu and several top executives after they insisted that Mwonzora should account for the $6 million which they say was illegally withdrawn from party coffers ahead of the party’s extraordinary congress in December.

Mwonzora allegedly ordered party heavyweights to withdraw their support for the case.

Damba claimed that the congress had made a resolution that there were no missing funds, hence Mwonzora had no case to answer.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The family of the slain Murewa boy, Tapiwa Makore, says it is still waiting to hear from the police on the progress made in searching for their son’s head.

Tapiwa was allegedly murdered in September last year for ritual purposes and was buried six months later in March.

His father, Munyaradzi Makore, told NewsDay that they were still waiting to hear from the police.

“We are still waiting. We haven’t heard anything from police since the burial of our son. We will hear from them. So far, nothing can be said concerning the missing body parts,” he said.

The remains of the boy were buried at his homestead in Nyamutumbu village at a funeral that was attended by government ministers.

The family has tried in vain both traditional and religious means to locate the boy’s head.

Last Wednesday in the National Assembly, Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala (MDC Alliance) asked Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe to explain what the police was doing to ensure that the boy’s head was found.

“What I am aware of is that forensic audits were done and the family was not very satisfied. They were saying some of the parts do not belong to him. The family was then free to choose their own scientists who would carry out the forensic audit. As far as the police are concerned, thorough investigations were done,” Kazembe said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has left for Botswana for the commissioning of Kazungula Bridge.

The President was seen off at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, several Cabinet Ministers and service chiefs.

The President will join his Botswana counterpart Mr Masisi and Zambian President Edgar Lungu, to form the trident that will benefit from the completion of the 923-metre long bridge.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Fredrick Shava, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Hon Felix Mhonha, among other senior Government officials.

ByA Correspondent- Zimbabwe has an estimated 7,9 million people, including 4,1 million children, that are in need of urgent life-saving health services and humanitarian assistance due to multiple hazards brough about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was revealed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in its recent report, which also noted that the country was at risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera due to heavy rains that fell this year.

Unicef said this year, it needed US$74,7 million to meet Zimbabwe’s humanitarian needs, including US$18,9 million for emergency and US$16 million for the health response.
“More than 38 000 children with severe acute malnutrition that has increased from 3,6% in 2019 to 4,5% in 2020 need treatment,” the Unicef report read.

“As of September 20, 2020, Zimbabwe reported nearly 7 700 cases of COVID-19; over 200 deaths, and 5 900 recoveries. Some 7,9 million people will need life-saving health services, 38 000 children with malnutrition will need treatment, and 140 000 people will need HIV and Aids services.”

The report said the impact of COVID-19 had further weakened the country’s public health system, risking widespread strikes by healthcare workers that were demanding improved working conditions.

“Health Development Fund (HDF) is a Health System Strengthening effort with the primary objective to support the Government of Zimbabwe to build health systems for delivery of effective health services for the population.” Unicef said through its HDF, it managed to pool resources for Cyclone Idai victims in 2019 and other emergencies.

“All the required essential medicines and commodities for the emergency response were ready and in stock to be deployed to the affected areas. And the established networks of well-trained village health workers were quickly mobilised to support disease prevention activities,” the report further read.

“The health sector response prevented potential epidemic disease outbreaks such as cholera and measles through mass integrated vaccination campaigns, reaching over 67 000 children (six to 59 months) with measles and almost 470 000 of eligible persons with oral cholera vaccines.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police have launched investigations into allegations that Douglas Mwonzora stole $6 million from MDC-T coffers in the run-up to the party’s elective congress last year, piling pressure on the beleaguered politician whom critics say is cosying up to the ruling Zanu-PF party to avoid prosecution.

Mwonzora’s former aide and party activist, Patson Murimoga, who said he reported the case to the police and Zimbabwe AntiCorruption Commission, appears to have the support of party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and other senior executives.

Murimoga told NewsDay yesterday that he felt the delay in arresting Mwonzora was because political considerations were taking precedence over justice.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, however, yesterday confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

“I can confirm that we received that case, and it is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department,” Nyathi said.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba rubbished the allegations of theft, arguing that Murimoga was not an influential party member.

“First, you need to understand that Murimoga has no locus standi to speak about party finances because he is not a member of the finance and administration committee. He was just a band member, a praise singer for the party and it ends there,” Damba said.

“You must also understand that the finances of the party are not administered by an individual, but by a committee, and the party account has more than three signatories and not an individual.”

But Murimoga claimed that MDC-T supporters were not happy because of the missing money and the lack of explanation from Mwonzora.

“We had the Elias Mashavira case that he sponsored, but we never had (Morgan) Tsvangirai firing him. He also was behind cases that fought (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa, but he was not fired from the party. I am tempted to think that the people he fought accusing them of being undemocratic were actually better than him,” he said.

Mwonzora accuses losing MDC-T presidential candidates for pushing Murimoga to get him arrested over the alleged missing $6 million, which he says could be accounted for.

Last week during a party meeting, top executives of the party, including Khupe, were ordered to leave for defying a directive to withdraw financial impropriety charges they filed against the party leader.

The resolution to purge defiant executives was read out to Khupe and her team last Wednesday following a national standing committee meeting held two weeks ago.

Besides Khupe, Mwonzora’s axe is also likely to fall on party chairperson Morgen Komichi, Chief Ndlovu and several top executives after they insisted that Mwonzora should account for the $6 million which they say was illegally withdrawn from party coffers ahead of the party’s extraordinary congress in December.

Mwonzora allegedly ordered party heavyweights to withdraw their support for the case.

Damba claimed that the congress had made a resolution that there were no missing funds, hence Mwonzora had no case to answer.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance said it had gone a gear up in its rural mobilisation exercise targeting six million voters for the 2023 elections.

The opposition party’s secretary for rural mobilisation and strategy, Happymore Chidziva said they were taking the rural mobilisation campaign to Mashonaland Central province this week, but were likely to face a daunting task in penetrating an area traditionally seen as a Zanu-PF stronghold.

“We are targeting six million change voices as MDC Alliance. Our rural mobilisation is on and we are now moving towards Mashonaland Central province,” Chidziva said.

“From rural areas we don’t target a specific age group; we just want at least three million rural voices. We are meeting opinion leaders, interfacing with them discussing change. Every society has its influential people and opinion setters hence we are meeting them before going to grassroots.”

Chidziva said their six million vote mobilisation campaign was not meant to counter that of their arch-rivals.

The Zanu-PF party is currently on a cell restructuring and verification exercise which is targeting to achieve five million supporters.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent-Zanu PF has launched an embarrassing propaganda campaign in which it is accusing the persecuted MDC-Alliance trio Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marova of employing delaying tactics so that they avoid trial.

The ruling party is using its propaganda mouth peace the Herald to propagate these lies.

In its Monday issue, the Herald said the MDC A trio had been throwing excuse after excuse leading the State to accuse them of employing Stalingrad tactics to wear down the whole process.

“The trio was arrested on May 13, 2020, with the trial date having been set for September 4, 2020, but since then the opposition figures, who are out on bail, have been trying to dribble justice,” said the Herald.

“On September 4 when the trial was set to kick start, through their lawyers Mr Alec Muchadehama and Mr Jeremiah Bamu they brought a letter in court saying Mamombe had mental problems and could not comprehend court proceedings, “The Herald lied.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission has arrested Registrar-General’s Central Registry’s office for allegedly receiving a bribe from a desperate passport applicant.

Detectives from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) pounced on Gloria Mashanda (30) of Warren Park following the botched cash-for-passport deal with Tofara Mapundu, a Namibia-based Zimbabwean.

In a statement, ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said Mashanda failed to deliver on her undertaking, after which the matter was reported to the authorities. “Sometime in March 2021, the complainant was approached by Tofara Mapundu, a female Zimbabwean who is based in Namibia, to assist her in applying for a Zimbabwean passport,” said Comm Makamure.

“She gave her the passport application form that had already been filled in with her details to submit to passport offices at Makombe Complex, Harare, on her behalf.”

Mashanda charged Mapundu a substantial amount of money which was delivered through an emissary.

“The complainant gave the accused US$318 for passport application and US$110 as the facilitation fee, which is a combined total of US$428, and the passport application form in the name of Tofara Mapundu for passport processing.”

The accused promised that Mapundu’s passport would be processed and ready for collection in a fortnight from the date the accused was given the application form.

After the agreed two-week period lapsed before the passport was delivered, Mashanda started evading the complainant.

“After the expiry of the agreed two-week period, the complainant started making enquiries for Tofara Mapundu’s passport from the accused, but the accused started to be evasive.

“The complainant approached Makombe Complex passport offices to verify whether Mashanda had applied, only to be told that there was no record of her application.

“The accused did not facilitate the passport application in the name of Tofara Mapundu but converted US$428 she was given by the complainant to her use,” added Comm Makamure.

Mashanda appeared in court yesterday and was remanded in custody on May 10.

Tinashe Sambiri|Mothers are the heartbeat of the nation, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, without a mother there is no rhythm:

STRONG NATIONS STAND ON STRONG MOTHERS..

Mothers inspire all greatness in the world and are the heartbeat of nations being the pulse in all families.Without a mother there is no rhythm.

Friends, let’s honour and love our mothers.

A Happy #MothersDay to all the strong moms

Tinashe Sambiri|Mothers are the heartbeat of the nation, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, without a mother there is no rhythm:

STRONG NATIONS STAND ON STRONG MOTHERS..

Mothers inspire all greatness in the world and are the heartbeat of nations being the pulse in all families.Without a mother there is no rhythm.

Friends, let’s honour and love our mothers.

A Happy #MothersDay to all the strong moms

Chief Justice Luke Malaba is on course to remaining in office beyond 15 May (next Saturday) when his tenure ends by operation of law following the passing of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.2) Bill by Senate this week which, together with the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) Bill, are likely to be gazetted today.

By operation of law, Malaba ceases to be chief justice when he turns 70 at midnight on 15 May.

The Amendment (No.1) Bill will enable the President to appoint the Chief justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Judge President without them undergoing public interviews.

Crucially for Malaba, the Amendment (No.2 Bill) seeks to allow judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court to continue to serve beyond the current retirement age of 70, if the President, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission, consents to their doing so.

It also seeks to permit the President to promote judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court to a higher court on the recommendation of the JSC, without the need for public interviews, thereby opening the door to promotions on the basis of political suitability and cronyism, as is the case with Malaba.

The behind-the-scenes manoeuvres to extend Malaba’s tenure by hook or by crook are being orchestrated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa – the ultimate beneficiary of the extension.

Mnangagwa needs Malaba to help him navigate possible constitutional and legal minefields ahead of the 2023 elections.

With just a week before Malaba’s tenure ends, the JSC has not announced a vacancy by advertising the chief justice’s position, meaning that the shortlisting of candidates and public interviews have not been done.

Justice ministry officials told The NewsHawks that the position has not been advertised because it was known beforehand that there was a plan to amend the constitution to allow for Malaba’s extension.

Crucially also, Malaba has not said his goodbyes unlike his predecessor Godfrey Chidyausiku who announced he would be leaving office when he officiated at the opening of the 2017 legal year. He retired in February 2017 after reaching 70 years.

Malaba has been Mnangagwa’s long-time ally, including when he was deputising the late former president Robert Mugabe, and also while serving as Justice minister well before the November 2017 coup.

The Chief Justice has been a vital cog in Mnangagwa’s political machinery, helping him sanitise and legitimise the coup which toppled Mugabe, and thrust him into power.

Malaba has also run the judiciary in a way that has helped Mnangagwa’s regime, government insiders acknowledge.

The chief justice presided over the 2018 Constitutional Court electoral petition by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa challenging Mnangagwa’s disputed 2018 presidential poll win.

He delivered the Constitutional Court judgement which confirmed Mnangagwa’s disputed 30 July 2018 presidential election victory, after dismissing Chamisa’s petition.

In a unanimous ruling of the nine judges of the country’s top court, Malaba said Chamisa had failed to prove allegations of fraud and manipulation of the vote during the presidential poll.

“Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is duly declared the winner of the presidential elections held on the 30th of July 2018,” Malaba said in his judgment, which had attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.

It is understood Malaba prevailed over some judges to ensure the unanimous ruling. Some judges wanted to dissent, but were whipped in line, sources said.

Government and judicial officials say Malaba was Mnangagwa’s strategic candidate to replace the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku when he was Vice-President and Justice minister, while also plotting to succeed the late former president Robert Mugabe.

The Mnangagwa Zanu-PF faction, which battled for power against the rival group that had coalesced around Mugabe’s wife Grace, broadly wanted Judge President George Chiweshe to succeed Chidyausiku. But Mnangagwa personally thought Malaba was the man for the job.

Then as now, Mnangagwa still wants Malaba. Chiweshe, who has a military background, is now viewed by Mnangagwa’s faction as Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s loyalist. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are currently locked in a simmering power struggle.

In a July 2018 ruling that helped Mnangagwa to sanitise the coup which toppled Mugabe, Malaba said Mugabe freely and voluntarily stepped down, adding Mnangagwa’s assumption of power was done in terms of the law, although it was clear he had seized power through a coup.

This followed an application by the Liberal Democrats and Revolutionary Freedom Fighters, Bongani Nyathi, Linda Masarira and Vusumuzi Sibanda who contested the legality of the Mnangagwa-led government.

They argued that Mugabe tendered the resignation under duress and that Mnangagwa’s ascendancy was unconstitutional.

They further said that the impeachment process that was instituted prior to Mugabe’s resignation was unlawful and that it served to coerce him to step down.

However, Malaba, sitting in chambers, ruled the constitutional challenge was frivolous and vexatious given that Mugabe carefully applied his mind and decided to step down without the embarrassment of impeachment.

“The former president’s written notice of resignation speaks for itself,” Malaba said.

“It sets the context in which it was written. He candidly reveals the fact that he had communicated with the Speaker of Parliament at 1353 hours. In the communication, the former President expressed to the Speaker his desire to resign from the Office of President.

“A written notice of resignation addressed to the Speaker and signed by the President, on the face of it, meets the first requirement of constitutional validity.”

Malaba argued that “what the former President said in the written notice of resignation is the best evidence available of the state of his mind at the time.”

“He (Mugabe) said he was free to express his will to resign. Not only does the former President declare in the written notice that he made the decision voluntarily, he gives reasons for doing so in clear and unambiguous language,” Malaba said.

“He said he was motivated by the desire to ‘ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power that underpins national security, peace and sustainability”.

Malaba said Mnangagwa’s assumption of office was therefore done in accordance with the provisions of the constitution after a vacancy had arisen due to the resignation.

The Chief Justice’s judgment followed a November 2017 ruling by Judge President George Chiweshe which legitimised the coup.

Chiweshe had ruled that the military intervention by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces which led to Mugabe’s resignation was constitutional, as the military sought to restore order in the country.

He said the military’s actions in intervening to stop the takeover of Mugabe’s functions “by those around him are constitutionally permissible and lawful”.

Malaba and Chiweshe thus played a critical role in sanitising and legitimising the coup which propelled Mnangagwa to power.

-Newshawks

By A Correspondent- For Sephukile Mathuthu, from Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb, things were not going well for her husband Prince Mathuthu when they decided to consult a sangoma, Malandisa Ncube, from Old Magwegwe suburb.

The sangoma reportedly healed her husband without any hassles, but Sephukile is now hurt and frustrated.

This is because after helping her husband, the “devious” sangoma complicated her life by snatching him.

After she found herself sharing her husband with a “hot” sangoma, she suspected that Malandisa did other things to him.

Last week she visited the Bulawayo Civil Court seeking a peace order against her, while protesting that she wanted the sangoma to leave her man alone.

“I want a peace order against Malandisa Ncube who is my husband’s girlfriend. She constantly calls me while insulting and threatening me. Because of her acts I no longer have peace as she also texts me insulting messages.

“She is a traditional healer and I used to consult her when my husband Prince Mathuthu was sick. She ended up having a relationship with him.

“She is always calling me and my husband and we ended up fighting because of that,” protested Sephukile.

She said Malandisa was also threatening her saying she would “fix” her since she was a sangoma.

“She is also threatening me saying she is a sangoma and can fix me, the latest incident being last month. I want the court to help me by barring her from insulting and threatening me and also to stop her from coming to my house,” begged Sephukile.

Sephukile and Prince got married in 1997.

In response Malandisa admitted that she snatched Sephukile’s husband when they consulted her for help. She, however, said they had since separated.

“I never phoned her or went to her house to see her husband. She is the one who is phoning me and I don’t respond.

“There is just bad blood between us after I had an affair with her husband long back. It’s not like I’m a traditional healer, but a prophetess since I assist people with Holy water,” responded Malandisa.

Sephukile, however, insisted that she was a sangoma and that the adulterous relationship was also still subsisting.

“She is a sangoma and is still having an affair with my husband. My husband even apologised to me,” she said.

In coming up with a ruling the presiding magistrate Nkosinomusa Ncube took into consideration the fact that it was common cause that Malandisa was or is still in a relationship with Sephukile’s husband.

“Applicant is married under the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11, a strictly monogamous marriage therefore, she will be hurt by any affair involving her husband.

“The parties have bad blood and as such, there is a mutual verbal attack between them and a reciprocal order is hereby granted that parties are ordered not to threaten, call or send each other insulting messages,” ruled the magistrate.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A man was left bloodied after he was assaulted at a party by his close friend, who accused him of dancing in a sexually suggestive way before his wife.

A witness, who attended the party, said Sam Sabelo Sibanda became unhappy after seeing his wife, Tatenda Kasaira, marvelling at his friend Dumiso Mpabanga’s exquisite dance moves.

The witness said Sam approached his wife and accused her of admiring and salivating at Dumiso’s sexually suggestive dance moves.

After that he turned to Dumiso and angrily accused him of dancing while looking at his wife.

“He charged at the unsuspecting Dumiso, who was enjoying himself on the dance floor and accused him of trying to entice his wife with his sexually suggestive dance moves.

“After that, he manhandled him before he unleashed a heavy blow on him,” said the source.

Following that, the source said, Sam rained blows on the hapless Dumiso, who tumbled to the ground and bled from the mouth.

“He kicked him all over the body causing him to bleed. But Sam did not stop at that, as he reached for stones and hit him on the body while he was wriggling in pain on the floor,” said a witness who watched all the drama unfold.

Dumiso was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.

A report was made at Tshabalala Police Station, but the police were yet to arrest Sam.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident:

“I can confirm that we arrested a man who assaulted his close friend for allegedly dancing in a sexually suggestive manner in front of his wife.

“The suspect also stoned the complainant.”

She appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of Sam.

“This suspect is a resident of Bulawayo and is known by some people and they have information about where he could be hiding.

“We are kindly asking you to furnish us with information that may lead to his arrest.

“Anyone with information may contact any nearest police station or contact us on (09)60358,”she said.

statemedia

Here is Zimbabwe’s coronavirus or COVID-19 update or situation report by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as of 08 May 2021:

• New cases: 11
• Local Cases: 11
• Returnees: 0
• Deaths: 0
• Tests: 1 770 Positivity (0.6%)
• Vaccinations: 8 852 (first dose); 8 224 (second dose)
• Total Cumulative Vaccinations: 509 274 (first dose); 148 564 (second dose)
• Recoveries: 11
• National Recovery Rate: 93.9%
• Active Cases: 786
• Total Cumulative Cases: 38 414
• Total Recoveries: 36 052
• Total Deaths: 1 576

By A Correspondent- Two Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leaders who were arrested for disorderly conduct by police in Harare on Friday have been freed.

ZINASU Gender Secretary Nancy Njenge and Women’s University in Africa SRC president Paidamoyo Masaraure were arrested yesterday for allegedly shouting at some police officers who were arresting vendors and touts in Harare and taken to the Harare Central Police Station.

According to their lawyers, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Njenge and Masaraure were initially accused of inciting public violence and undermining police authority but the police later changed the charge to disorderly conduct.

They were taken to the Harare Magistrates Court for an initial remand appearance on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the two students activists have been released into the custody of their lawyer Douglas Coltart of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Police advised that they will proceed by issuing summons against them if they intend to have them prosecuted.

By A Correspondent- Masvingo businessman Pascal Mudzikisi who contested as an independent candidate against Minister Davis Marapira for the Masvingo North parliamentary seat in the 2018 general election, has now rejoined Zanu-PF.

He says he has always been a member of Zanu-PF whose principles and values are rooted in the party, and had never really left it.

Mudzikisi appeared at a Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee PCC) meeting held at Great Zimbabwe University’s (GZU) Robert Mugabe School of Education on Sunday, May 02, where he was formally introduced into the party.

He was welcomed together with former MDC stalwarts Tongai Matutu, Dr William Zivenge and former Senator James Makore by Zanu-PF secretary for science and technology in the politburo Christopher Mutsvangwa and the provincial leadership of the party.

“I was Zanu-PF and I am still Zanu-PF. I never stopped supporting it because that’s where my principles lay so I couldn’t go to another party where I will be forced to fight my principles. That is the reason why I did not join any other political party after my expulsion,” Mudzikisi later told TellZim News.

He was automatically expelled from the party after he contested for the Masvingo North parliamentary seat as an independent, having failed to contest in the primaries after his CV failed to sail through during the vetting process.

“Quarrels are good for democracy in any community but what is important is that at the end people reconcile and move forward,” Mudzikisi said.

He said he had a huge following which could add to the party’s vote tally in the 2023 general election.

“When I contested as an independent I got 2 000 votes and most of those people are still loyal to me and they can contribute to the party’s five million votes target in the general election.

“The reception we got at the PCC was warm. We were allowed to stay and hear them deliberate, a thing which shows that we have been forgiven,” he said.

On whether he will contest in the 2023 elections, Mudzikisi said he was ready to serve but will stand guided by the party.

“I am loyal to Zimbabwe and to Masvingo North where I was born and bred. So if there is anyone who is able to represent and fulfill the needs of Masvingo North, I will support them regardless of where they come from.

“However I will then make noise about it if they fail. If the party and the people of Masvingo North want me to represent them, I will do but if Zanu-PF sees that there is someone who can represent its interests better in the constituency, I will gladly support that someone,” said Mudzikisi.

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old ex-cop who was stationed at Chiredzi Central Police Station, Taurai Mujatiwa was last week imprisoned for 33 years by Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu after being found guilty on three counts of armed robbery.

Mujatiwa was found guilty on three counts of armed robbery after he stole property worthy $63 000 and US$820 and R70 200.

Of the 33-year-long jail term, two years were set aside provided he paid back US$125 for count one, R58 720 and US$788 for count two before May 27, 2021.

The State represented by Noel Muranda stated that on March 05 this year, Mujatiwa in company of Collins Chauke, who is still at large, approached Calisto Jairos Mapikire, who is a taxi driver at N. Richards Wholesalers in Chiredzi asking for his services to Hippo Valley Section 27.

When they got to Chitsanga Hill, the accused strangled the complainant, tightened his hands and legs, covered his face and discharged a firearm threatening to kill him if he failed to cooperate.

The accused drove off to Triangle and dumped the complainant in a cane field near High Siringa and took his Toyota Fan cargo, US$125.00, a pair of tennis shoes, a belt and a cellphone. The complainant later managed to reach for help and reported the matter to Triangle Police Station.

On the second count, along Masvingo-Beitbridge highway the following day, Mujatiwa gave Lydia Maphosa a lift and threatened to kill her and took her Gtel cellphone, S$ 21 000 and a monarch with clothes before dumping her alongside the road and drove off.

The state presented that on March 07, in Zvinonyanya Village, Mwenezi district, the accused in the company of four gang members, approached Nokutula Moyo’s homestead around 03:00hrs and broke into her house before threatening the complainant and his family with a machete.

They requested for safe keys but the complainant refused to give them. The accused harassed and assaulted Moyo’s daughter with open and threatened to chop them into pieces.

They demanded a cellphone and took a safe with US$770, P250, R70 200 and property worthy S$16 310.

The accused was later arrested at a police road block in Chivi, where he refused to cooperate with the police before running away, leaving the stolen car behind.

The police searched in his car and found a machete with dry blood strains, a screw driver and discovered that vehicle been stolen.

On passing her verdict, Magistrate Zuyu said there was enough evidence to prove that the accused was guilty.-TellZim

By A Correspondent- A serial rapist who was allegedly raping minors between ages of seven to 10 was arrested on Wednesday.

Sources familiar with the incident alleged that Kwaramasa Kwaramasa (39) was ambushed by the police and arrested in Chiwaridzo, Bindura.

“Working on a tip-off the police managed to arrest the rapist who had terrorised Bindura,” said a source who declined to be named.

“He would lure girls between the ages of seven to 10 and  lie to them that he does not know directions to Garati area where he would take them in a bush and rape them.”

Meanwhile, rape cases in Mashonaland Central province are on the increase.

By A Correspondent- A Plumtree woman appeared in court Friday for allegedly stealing a motor vehicle she had not imported, by clearing and paying duty fees for it at the border town’s Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) offices.

Sharmaine Mlambo (33) a car dealer from the border town, was arrested and charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

The stolen vehicle belongs to Marita Mangani (36) from Bulawayo’s Burnside suburb, who found her car ‘gone’ after travelling to Plumtree to clear it.

Mangani bought the vehicle from Car Max Africa, a private company based in Durban, South Africa.

She requested that that car be ferried to Botswana, while she sorted the funds to pay for duty.

The state represented by Willbrought Muleya, alleges Mlambo obtained a proforma invoice pertaining to Mangana’s car from the same company, yet it was not supposed to be used as proof of payment of the motor vehicle.

“Mlambo went ahead and fixed the imported pre-clearance of the vehicle at ZIMRA Plumtree Border Post and paid duty in that regard,” the prosecutor said.

Muleya added that when Mangani’s car arrived at Plumtree Border Post, which was under her name, as per the Customs and Exercise cargo manifest, Mlambo altered the name and entered hers.

“Mlambo proceeded to process the final clearance before taking the car into her possession without Mangani’s consent,” the prosecutor added.

Mlambo, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was however freed on ZWL$5 000 bail.

Plumtree Magistrate, Tayengwa Chibanda, said as part of the bail conditions, ordered Mlambo to surrender her passport to the police and to reside at her home in George Silundika in the border town.

Mlambo was also ordered not to interfere with state witnesses.

In her bail application, Mlambo’s legal representative, Tutu Ncube, pleaded with the court to unconditionally release his client as it was her constitutional right.

“My client is not a flight risk, when the police summoned her to the police station yesterday (Thursday) she gladly availed herself. This in its own essence, Your Worship, is a sign that she has every intention to stand trial. She even provided her residential address so that should the police need anything from her, they can easily access her,” said the lawyer.

“Denying her bail right now would be trampling on her constitutional right. The state, as we speak has not provided us with any witnesses’ statements, so there is no need to worry about interference, as we do not even know whom they intend to call as their witnesses.”

In laying charges, Muleya said the complainant -Mangana purchased her vehicle on March 1 2021, and on March 20,  Mlambo obtained a proforma invoice of the same vehicle, which she used to commit the alleged offence.

“On March 23, 2021 Mlambo did an import pre-clearance of the vehicle at ZIMRA Plumtree Border Post and paid duty in that regard. On March 30, 2021 Mangani’s car arrived at Plumtree Border Post under her name according to the Customs and Exercise cargo manifest and (somehow) was altered by Mlambo into her name. She went on to process the final clearance and took the car into her possession without Mangani’s consent,” Muleya said.

“On April 30, Mangani’s import waiver was approved by ZIMRA Plumtree Border Post and was given green light to import her car and that was when she discovered the offence. On May 3, 2021 Director of Car Max Africa, Junaid Bhatti, issued an affidavit statement indicating that Mangani was the sole owner of the car and was not aware how Mlambo had obtained the proforma invoice.”

The value of the vehicle was US$1 400 and nothing was recovered, said Muleya.

Cite

By A Correspondent- In an incident that has shocked residents of Old Magwegwe in Bulawayo, a four-year-old boy died while five of his relatives and neighbours are battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital after they reportedly ate porridge suspected to have been laced with poison yesterday.

The incident reportedly happened at around 11 am and resulted in the four-year-old dying within minutes after consuming the porridge. Three other boys aged eight, 12 and 18 are said to be in critical condition. Two other children from the house next door who also tasted the porridge are said to be in a stable condition.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said he could not readily comment on the matter but when Sunday News visited the house yesterday at around 3pm, the body of the deceased was still in the house with police taking statements from family and neighbours.

A spokesperson for the Siyanzembwe family, Ms Ethel Munkuli said she was called by neighbours to go and find out what was happening at her mother-in-law’s house after the children were seen vomiting.

“The deceased and the three other boys in a critical condition reside together with my mother-in-law who was at work. From what we gathered, the 18-year-old Donald Mudimba cooked porridge which he shared with three other boys aged four, eight and 12 as he usually does because he is the one who looks after them when my mother-in-law is at work.

There were two other kids from next door who also tasted the porridge while playing there. However, Donald started having a running tummy and he went to relieve himself. The four-year-old boy then started eating Donald’s porridge resulting in him being more critical and dying before being ferried to hospital,” said Ms Munkuli.

She noted that at first when she arrived at the house, which is a street away from her house, Donald was vomiting non-stop and in a state of shock. Ms Munkuli said she thought Donald had been bewitched so she rushed him to a nearby prophetess to seek for prayers.

The grieving mother of the deceased child Dorothy

“While we were praying for Donald I was then called again and told the other three boys were now vomiting as well. We then asked Donald who said they ate porridge only a few minutes ago.

 We then called the ambulance but by the time it arrived the four-year-old boy was no longer breathing. The three boys and two kids from next door were then ferried to Mpilo hospital together with the pot of the porridge and the sugar they used.”

While other neighbours were suggesting that Donald could have used a pesticide instead of sugar, Ms Munkuli said the sugar was in a normal sugar packet and it was “the usual brown sugar”.

The 18-year-old boy and the 12-year-old boy are said to be siblings to Ms Munkuli’s husband, while the eight-year-old boy and four-year-old boy are her mother-in-law’s grandchildren.

-State media 

By A Correspondent- The driver of a kombi carrying stolen tyres was nabbed after he was involved in an accident after a high-speed chase by the rapid response team from Junior Security Company.

Though the police were not available to give a comment immediately, some 112 brand new tyres of assorted type and sizes, and with a worth of over US$40 000 dollars, were recovered after the driver of the vehicle lost control of the kombi and it fell into a ditch.

A source who refused to be named said four robbers attacked and tied the Junior Security guard manning the Crown Duo tyre outlet close to Byword Motors in the industrial area of Masvingo.

They then loaded the brand new tyres into their Mazda kombi and into the trailer.

Unbeknown to them, the security guard, despite his hands being tied-up, had managed to pull out a small cell-phone from his pocket which he used to painstakingly sent an SOS text message to the security control room.

A rapid response team was then dispatched, only to find the robbers still loading their loot.

One of the robbers who acted as a sentry then alerted his colleagues that they had been busted and the overloaded kombi, tugging an overloaded trailer, took off at high-speed towards the VID Masvingo Depot but it fell just after the DocZine Fuels service station.

The ruffians, however, managed to extricate themselves from the wreckage and fled the scene on foot.

No arrest had been made by the time of writing after the police reacted hours later.

TellZim saw the recovered tyres and the damaged vehicles parked at Masvingo Central Police station for exhibit.

-TellZim

By A Correspondent- In an incident that has shocked residents of Old Magwegwe in Bulawayo, a four-year-old boy died while five of his relatives and neighbours are battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital after they reportedly ate porridge suspected to have been laced with poison yesterday.

The incident reportedly happened at around 11 am and resulted in the four-year-old dying within minutes after consuming the porridge. Three other boys aged eight, 12 and 18 are said to be in critical condition. Two other children from the house next door who also tasted the porridge are said to be in a stable condition.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said he could not readily comment on the matter but when Sunday News visited the house yesterday at around 3pm, the body of the deceased was still in the house with police taking statements from family and neighbours.

A spokesperson for the Siyanzembwe family, Ms Ethel Munkuli said she was called by neighbours to go and find out what was happening at her mother-in-law’s house after the children were seen vomiting.

“The deceased and the three other boys in a critical condition reside together with my mother-in-law who was at work. From what we gathered, the 18-year-old Donald Mudimba cooked porridge which he shared with three other boys aged four, eight and 12 as he usually does because he is the one who looks after them when my mother-in-law is at work.

There were two other kids from next door who also tasted the porridge while playing there. However, Donald started having a running tummy and he went to relieve himself. The four-year-old boy then started eating Donald’s porridge resulting in him being more critical and dying before being ferried to hospital,” said Ms Munkuli.

She noted that at first when she arrived at the house, which is a street away from her house, Donald was vomiting non-stop and in a state of shock. Ms Munkuli said she thought Donald had been bewitched so she rushed him to a nearby prophetess to seek for prayers.

The grieving mother of the deceased child Dorothy

“While we were praying for Donald I was then called again and told the other three boys were now vomiting as well. We then asked Donald who said they ate porridge only a few minutes ago.

 We then called the ambulance but by the time it arrived the four-year-old boy was no longer breathing. The three boys and two kids from next door were then ferried to Mpilo hospital together with the pot of the porridge and the sugar they used.”

While other neighbours were suggesting that Donald could have used a pesticide instead of sugar, Ms Munkuli said the sugar was in a normal sugar packet and it was “the usual brown sugar”.

The 18-year-old boy and the 12-year-old boy are said to be siblings to Ms Munkuli’s husband, while the eight-year-old boy and four-year-old boy are her mother-in-law’s grandchildren.

-State media 

By A Correspondent- Some law enforcement agents who are supposed to secure illicit drugs seized during operations are reportedly working in connivance with drug syndicates in Harare, pocketing huge sums of money by selling the same opioids back on the streets, investigations by The Sunday Mail have revealed.

While police have taken action through a crackdown on drug peddlers which netted more than 200 drug hawkers and was hailed as a major victory in the war against drug abuse, the tentacles of the syndicates in the capital extend far beyond imagination.

In most suburbs, criminal dealers sell dangerous drugs to adults and children in broad daylight, often not taking too many precautions, while allegedly enjoying the protection of rogue cops.

What is more disturbing is that the suspected drug peddlers are enlisting the services of children roaming Harare’s streets as drug mules to avoid detection.

The innocent children “hawking sweets” have become part of a bigger drug syndicate rearing its ugly head in the capital.

Besides marijuana, other commonly distributed drugs are crystal methamphetamine — which has evolved to be commonly known as “guka, marijuana cakes and a prohibited cough syrup called BronCleer (Bronco).

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that some police officers were indeed ‘conniving with drug peddlers’.

“We have received information in regards to police officers conniving with drug lords and we have since effected arrests on some of those officers,” he said, urging the public to pass on to the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) any information that could be helpful in apprehending more culprits.

“The ZRP is on record as saying it has no place for such unruly elements.
“We have zero tolerance to corruption. Give us information on these unruly officers and ZRP will pluck them out.

“As long as there is any incriminating evidence, feel free to come forth. The police officer involved will face the full wrath of the law”.
Police are running drug abuse awareness campaigns countrywide with a view to conscientising the public about the devastating effects of the dangerous substances.

The CID Drugs and Narcotics section recently embarked on an operation to curb drug abuse code-named “No to drug and substance abuse” and a number of suspects were rounded up.

Drug abuse is also contributing to a rise in serious offences.
The Sunday Mail recently went behind the scenes to find out how the drug syndicates operate.

The former Zimex Mall area, located along Jason Moyo and Inez Terrace streets in the CBD, aside from being the location of popular mobile phone vendors and foreign currency traders, is now synonymous with the drug trade.

As money changers solicit customers, so do the suspected drug hawkers, mostly women and teenagers.

Purporting to be an interested client, this reporter approached multiple suspected drug dealers peddling illicit substances around the area.
“We only have codeine syrup and BronCleer – meth is now hard to come by, it is now expensive since police swoop on us,” a dealer identified as Jerald, (also known by his peers as Murungu), said.
Out here, everything is on the fast lane.
Dealers as well as buyers are wary of the police and security operatives who raid the location regularly.
As the conversation continued, the dealer furtively brandished bottles of BronCleer and codeine at the reporter’s request.
“With this one you will never go wrong,” said another dealer who came in from the opposite end.
He must have felt the transaction was taking too long.
As the deal was ongoing, other illicit drug vendors were either on the look-out for cops or beckoning on prospective customers.
But for Jerald ‘Murungu’, everything seemed normal as he went about his business unperturbed – calm and collected to the shock of this reporter.
We further learnt that Jerald enjoys special protection from some rogue cops whom many believe are the ones who supply him with seized drugs.
This was the same situation at Fourth Street and Cobacabana bus ranks, where suspected drug peddlers could be seen on both sides of the road discreetly exchanging money for different types of drugs, including codeine.
A security source – who we will not name because of the nature of his job, revealed that indeed some police officers were working with drug peddlers in the distribution of drugs in Harare.
He said the ring involves officers who are in strategic positions of influence and only sell to the rich and affluent.
What is so striking is that women seem to be the biggest mules and peddlers in these syndicates.
Residents – mostly from Mbare – said dangerous drugs have become a menace and accused some law enforcement agents of tipping-off well-known dealers in advance before they launch their raids.
In Mbare, this reporter was introduced to Natasha (surname supplied) who lives in Tagarika Flat D – and posing as a potential client, the woman hesitantly inquired about the person who had recommended this reporter to her.
After assuring her that we meant no harm, the lady told us that she deals in Crystal Meth.
Known scientifically as methamphetamine, Crystal Meth is a highly addictive stimulant popular for its powerful euphoric effects.
“Which one do you want so that I can collect it for you – you don’t have to go inside the flats because I am not sure where you are coming,” she said.
She sells it in grammes and has a mini-weight scale she uses to measure according to request.
A 10 gramme satchet of meth costs between US$5 to US$7.
Further inquiry from our sources revealed that Natasha works for a police officer called Chemuli (surname supplied), popularly known in the area as ‘Muchawa’.
“She is not even afraid because she knows ‘Muchawa’ will always come to her rescue. During a recent raid that netted almost every known drug peddler in the area – Natasha was left untouched,” revealed our source.
They also enlist the services of children as mules.
“These children are young and vulnerable to these drug peddlers because they too need money and have been denied their fundamental right to education,” said Loice Ruzha, a vendor and a mother who has been observing the trend for quite some time.
“There are also those who have been pushed to the streets to seek solace because of poverty, family breakdown and abandonment,” she added.
In a brief interview, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said drug cartels will be hunted down.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is coming after all drug cartels peddling drugs in communities. The syndicates will be dealt with once and for all by law enforcement officers,” he said.

-Sunday Mail

GWERU – President Emmerson Mnangagwa apologist and Gweru businessman Douglas Kwande who recently displaced 500 workers after he grabbed the Zimbabwe Glass Holdings (Zimglass) has run down the company and turned it into a cattle pen.

Kwande bought the company from the state-run Industrial Development Corporation but workers have dismissed it as cheap propaganda claims that he paid US$22m.

Zimglass, Zimbabwe’s sole producer of glass used to export to Malawi and Zambia, churning out 120 tonnes per week and employing 500 workers. It was one of the biggest companies in Gweru run by the state-owned IDC.

The Mirror visited the company and established that the sprawling 10-hectare premises located along Bristol Road in Gweru are now used as grazing and a cattle pen for Kwande’s 100 herds of cattle.

Patrick Chirombo a former HR Officer at Zimglass said it was painful to see the giant company sinking further into an abyss.

He attacked the government for giving the company to someone who has no capacity.

Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe lamented the deal between IDC and Kwande as an economic disaster for Gweru. Zimglass closed shop in 2010.

The arrangement is a violation of the City’s by-laws which bans the keeping of cattle in the city.

The Mirror established that Kwande has also set up grinding mills at Zimglass where he is processing Premier maize meal that is sold in his …………supermarkets.

Kwande acquired the company through his Brainman Investments at a time when the new dispensation under President Mnangagwa promised a quick fix of defunct companies including CSC, Shabani Mashaba Mines and Zisco.

Kwande requested a face-to-face interview with The Mirror but failed to show up on numerous occasions.

Makombe said that it is illegal for Kwande to keep cattle in the city and a team of council workers would be dispatched to investigate. He said the grinding mills must be properly licensed for them to operate.

The glass produced by Zimglass was mainly sold to Delta Beverages, African Distillers, Mutare Bottling Company, Straitia Investments, Olivine Industries, Datlabs and E. Snell and Company.

“It is sad for the city and the country that the firm was bought by someone who cannot revive it. We needed an investor who comes to create jobs and wealth,” said Makombe.

Residents who spoke to The Mirror said Government assets in Gweru have become fruits for easy picking by those connected to Zanu PF leadership.

Moses Chikwadzi, a former secretary for the workers’ committee said Zimglass remains a strategic company to the country and called for immediate intervention.

He said that hundreds of workers including some who worked for the company for 30 years walked out of the company empty-handed. The understanding was that the workers were going to be paid their benefits from the proceeds of the sale of the company.

“It’s painful and l feel like crying. All workers walked out with nothing. We must be paid our benefits from the US$22m that IDC received from Kwande,” said Chikwadzi.

Chirombo dismissed the US$22m tag on the company and said there is evidence from lawyers that the company was sold for a song. He said it went for RTGS$22m

He described the price as peanuts considering that the company has machinery worth millions of dollars.

The Mirror understands that Kwande also got the industrial sand claim some 10km outside Gweru.

This is where sand used for making glass is obtained but instead of keeping the sand for glass making, this is now being sold to those building houses and moulding bricks.

-The Mirror

A 42-year-old Gweru man handed himself to the police after locking seven family members, including his wife and kids, in a house before petrol-bombing it after a domestic dispute.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector, Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which occurred in Raylands suburb Gweru on Thursday night.

He said property was destroyed in the attempted arson attack while all family members escaped unhurt.

“The suspect, Darlington Miti (42) has since surrendered himself to the police and is now in custody. He is now facing attempted murder charges and will appear in court soon,” he said.

Insp Mahoko said those who escaped the arson attack were Miti’s wife Chipo Mafunda, her two children from a previous marriage, her 3-year child with Miti and two other family members.

“It is said Miti had a misunderstanding with his wife on Wednesday night. He then left the house only to return home around 2am the following morning armed with a five litre container full of petrol. He then sprinkled the fuel around the house before setting the house on fire together with the wife’s car which was parked outside,” he said.

When The Herald newscrew visited the house yesterday, Ms Mafunda and other family members were busy cleaning the house while throwing away some of the burnt property.

Ms Mafunda told The Herald that they were lucky to be alive after the arson attack from her husband whom she described as a suicidal character.

She said Miti committed the crime some weeks after he attempted to kill himself by consuming poison.

“We have been having some problems in this marriage and recently he wrote a suicide note and later consumed termite poison. We rushed him to the hospital and he spent two weeks in the intensive care unit. He was about to recover but still on medication,” she said.

Ms Mafunda said she is into some business and was fending for the family but Miti was now accusing her of infidelity.

She said on the fateful day, he came home charging while accusing her of seeing other men but without corroborating the allegations.

“He has for a long time, been threatening to kill me and the kids while accusing me of infidelity but I would always ask him to provide evidence because I knew I was clean. He was just insecure because I had become the breadwinner for the family with my business ever since he lost his job some few years back but he was still in denial,” she said.

Ms Mafunda said Miti left home on Wednesday night without communicating where he was going only to come back home at around 2am the following morning armed with some petrol.

“He then started throwing stones at our bedroom where I was sleeping, damaging window panes before he sprinkled petrol on my car which was parked outside and around the house. He then petrol-bombed the house through the bedroom where our three-year-old girl was sleeping,” he said.

Ms Mafunda said she managed to rescue the minor in the bedroom where the fire started before it spread into other rooms.

“Some neighbours then responded to the screams for help and we managed to put out the fire but some of the property had already been damaged,” she said.
— Herald

By A Correspondent-Media Institute of Southern Africa- Zimbabwe Chapter this year held its provincial belated World Press Freedom Day Commemorations in rural areas where it was taking stock of how rural communities were accessing information.

The belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations were held yesterday throughout the country.

MISA-Harare Advocacy committee held its event at Mungate shopping centre in Domboshava where villagers raised concern over delays by the government to licence community radio stations.

Locals said their area was lagging behind developmental programs because of limited access to information.

The villagers said they wanted the government to establish a community radio in their area so that they could discuss issues that concern their area.

The meeting was attended by village heads, church leaders, local political leadership women and youths.

By A correspondent-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week rewarded former MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu for selling out.

Gutu was among the six new National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) commissioners who were sworn in by Mnangagwa at State House.

The six commissioners are replacing commissioners whose terms have expired and will serve under the chairmanship of Justice Selo Nare who was only appointed in 2018.

Gutu, is also a former and deputy justice minister during the all-inclusive government between 2009 and 2013.

He joined ZANU PF in March this year.
The other commissioners are Donwell Dube and Tinashe Rukuni, Reverend Chiropafadzo Moyo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, former deputy police commissioner-general crime Josephine Shambare and Nomaqhawe Gwere.