The two seven-year-old cousins killed last week on their way home from school in central Mutasa are suspected to have been murdered by their uncle who allegedly tried to throw search parties off the scent by giving false information as the community mobilised to find the missing children.
Dilan and Melissa Benza were killed at an abandoned homestead halfway on the direct 4km route between Mbaza Primary School and their home. Their bodies, with deep neck cuts and throats slit, were dumped in a disused toilet. Search parties followed a trail of blood found at the homestead when searching the day after the killings.
While initial reports suggested the bodies were intact, there are now suspicions that blood was extracted and that some body parts could have been taken.
Solomon Manyau (48) is a maternal uncle to Dilan, and a member of Mbaza Primary School’s School Development Committee. He emerged as the prime suspect because when the searches started on the afternoon of Tuesday last week he allegedly said he had last seen the children near the Kavhuru homestead about 4km from the school, and then later changed his story and said he had last seen them near the school looking for wild fruits, hubva or tsubvu.
Although Manyau was the first to be picked up, police then wanted to talk to Passmore Sambaza, thought to be the last person seen with the children. But he allegedly tried to flee the area and was reportedly picked near London Stores as he was leaving.
Manyau and Sambaza are expected to appear in court today (Wednesday) for initial remand.
Whoever killed the small children took advantage of the overgrown surroundings of the abandoned Sambaza homestead.
The tall grass gave the murderers enough cover to execute their mission without drawing any attention from passers-by.
Although post-mortem results are still to be given, Melissa’s father, Mr Douglas Benza, believes that the children were killed for rituals. He said some people who had close scrutiny of the two children’s bodies moments after being retrieved from the Blair toilet where they had been thrown, said some body parts were missing.
The agitated community did not mince its words when a visit was made to the area at the weekend, demanding justice to the perpetrators.
Dilan’s mother, Ms Lydia Manyau, who had emotions choking her regularly during the 18-minute narration of the events had no kind words to her relative, Solomon.
“It pains to lose your child in such a cruel manner. On that day, I woke up early and prepared breakfast and lunchbox for my son. Dilan and Melissa are cousins and were just inseparable even in death. They would walk to and from school together.
“There was an SDC meeting at the school, and I also attended the meeting, but left a bit early. I never harboured thoughts that I would never see my son again. I went back home to attend to other chores. Being Grade One children, I expected them to arrive home earlier than other upper grades, but on that day they were not home on time.
“Around 3pm, I started having a feeling that something was amiss because the children would usually arrive home around 1pm. I checked with Melissa’s parents, who stay nearby and they said their daughter was still to arrive,” she said.
Ms Manyau said they spread word around Sambaza and Mhanda villages of the missing children. The Benzas are originally from Mhanda Village, but are currently staying in Sambaza Village.
“As it was getting dark, a neighbour suggested that we communicate with Solomon Manyau as he was among the last people to leave the SDC meeting at Mbaza Primary School. When he was phoned, Solomon indicated that he had last seen the children near the Kavhuru homestead. We combed the area, but failed to locate the children.
“We even searched the nearby Nhindiwa River to no avail. We phoned Manyau again and he said he had last seen the children near the school grounds looking for wild fruits. His narrations were not tallying and this prompted us to go back to the school.
“Although it was late at night, I braved the darkness to go and inquire with Dilan’s teacher. We were told that the two had left school around mid-day and I was left weak-kneed,” said Ms Manyau as emotions got the better of her.
The search continued the following day on Wednesday and the search parties were boosted by the seconding of Form Four and Six boys from Mbaza High School, leading to the discovery of the children in the pit latrine.
Mr Benza said although he is still to come face-to-face with the suspects following their arrest, he will never forgive them.
“I cannot fathom my daughter being brutally killed. When her body was retrieved from the pit latrine, she had dust all over showing that she had tried to resist, but was overpowered.
“I think Solomon’s inconsistent answers when he was phoned was a decoy to keep the search parties away from the crime scene as they were busy concealing evidence. We are also being told that there was a speeding car that was spotted around Sadziwa area around 10pm as we were searching for the children,” said Mr Benza.
“We are being told that death sentence was outlawed, but these people do not have a place in our society. Once convicted, they should be relocated to another area because I cannot continue interacting with them. They should also undergo the same pain that our children went through before they met their fate,” he said.
Mr Benza added: “I cannot believe it that at this time and age there are people who still believe in ritual killings. Why did they target our two innocent children. My heart is also bleeding as I recently lost another child in unclear circumstances. The child just complained of stomach pain and died before being attended to at the clinic.”- The Herald
By A Correspondent -A 37 year old man from Vhengere township in Rusape, Manicaland province recently lost his vehicle and other valuables to two passengers who he had offered a lift from Murambinda, Masvingo province.
Manicaland deputy provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Benson Nyabango was robbed of his car, a cellphone and US$150.
“Nyabango was driving from Murambinda to Rusape and when he reached Chani turn-off, he picked the suspects who had asked for a lift to Rusape,” he said.
“One of the suspects sat on the front seat while the other sat at the back behind the driver,” he added.
When they reached the 136 km peg, Nyabango slowed down to negotiate a pothole and the suspect who was sitting behind him strangled him with a seat belt while the other one allegedly pulled the hand brake.
The suspects dragged Nyabango out of the car and started assaulting him all over the body with fists and booted feet.
“They overpowered him and drove off towards Nyazura leaving him behind. Inside the car there was also a Techno cellphone and US$150. Nyabango was later assisted by a friend and filed a report at Nyazura police station,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
He said so far nothing had been recovered and the suspects were still at large.
An article circulating during the week claiming an Islamic group has threatened Zimbabwe, is false and misleading, ZimEye can reveal.
The article in a year old and is based on cheap-propaganda doctored by a disgraced terrorist running by the pen name, Matigary. The man, Taurai Chinyamakobvu was subsequently exposed on ZimEye and banned on the Twitter website (watch the program below)
VIDEO LOADING BELOW
On the 8th May 2020, the famous whistleblower of the 2008 election rigging, Shepherd Yuda spoke concerning a leak he reported he received from military sources on alleged plans by ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
LEAKED – YUDA SPILLS THE BEANS ON MNANGAGWA'S ALLEGED MILITARY PLOT IN MOZAMBIQUE https://t.co/FG98hMkICP
If Mnangagwa created Fake Terrorist Gwesela and killed 22,000 people saying army's hunting for him (for a whole 4yrs 1983-87), and then created Fake Polling stations for Filipe Nyusi in Masvingo (in 2019), what stops him from creating Fake Terrorists in Mozambique for pleasure?
Mozambican opposition says it’s the government soldiers killing civilians,
| ANALYSIS | There are some digital footprints from within as well as from outside Mozambique that suggest that the terrorists currently operating in that country were created by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa so he can unleash military rule over the Beira corridor: it’s all about money and getting it by blood. He’s been doing this since 1983. He created Richard Gwesela (who was later killed by a newspaper article, literally), and up to as late as 2018 when we finally witnessed the Terrorist game played before our eyes on LIVE video. It’s a well known game by the politicians and innocent people die.
In recent weeks, we have been told of Christians being killed by so-called Islamic militants in Mozambique. Are they real terrorists and not mere political agents on a special assignment? Let’s hear from the Mozambicans themselves what they are both seeing and saying.
Of the 59 tweets published by ‘the Mozambican Islamic militant group,’ on a Twitter handle, 90% of them are attacking Zimbabwe; their very first one on the 29th April 2020, is a direct message to Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the last one, late Monday evening 9pm, refers to Zimbabwe. Why are these “terrorists” so obsessed with Zimbabwe beginning with their very first tweet?
Of the pictures published of the terrorists lately and on their Twitter account, FranceAlRasa, one is unmasked as a 2015 photo, and the second (used by a South African publication, Daily Maverick, which claims they got it via Telegram from the group last year, has its first citing way back in June 2018 over in Europe, Turkey, nowhere near Africa.
the pictures analysed by their digital Origins.
the collage of pictures from the so-called terrorist group
The Twitter account FranceAlRasa, was created on the 29th April 2020, well in advance of Mnangagwa’s visit there (just a day before).
The correlation of timing as well as the desperation to rebuild the economy using military metal all point to one thing – a brute politician’s methods repeated for over 37 years since the 4th of May 1983.
One possibility – mere malicious intent
One possibility suggests that the Twitter account was created by a merely malicious person who is seeking to agitate war against Emmerson Mnangagwa. This is a very strong likely, and many citizens are known for doing these things in the past as they vent their anger against the government. If this is the case however how did the individual (s) know that Mnangagwa would fly over to Mozambique at the end of the week? The person who did this could thus only be an insider, or at least one possessing insider state-knowledge.
Furthermore if that is true, on Sunday, the nation witnessed ZANU PF’s most prolific pressure group, screaming on social networks that the Zimbabwe National Army must be deployed to Mozambique with immediate effect, today. They said they must do this in order to crush ISIS. They are confident that they will win this war. Very soon ZANU PF will throw a party telling the whole world that Emmerson Mnangagwa is the only politician who can crush ISIS. He has done it in Mozambique! Perfect. We will all believe them, because we did not care to investigate.
And why is ZANU PF suddenly agitated for war?
Does Mozambique have Islamic militants? Who is funding them?
Since Mnangagwa created fake polling stations in Masvingo for Phillip Nyusi 7 months ago, and someone printed fake IDs for scores of Zimbabweans who have never set foot in Mozambique to vote for Nyusi, what is his next move? The current Chairman of the SADC Politics, Defence And Security, is well known for creating terrorists who work for him and his story is documented for a long 37 year period. It brings up the question of what SADC is all about when it appoints someone who has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa to head its defence and security, but well this is a very very long discussion for another day. A very long one.
Local agencies in Mozambique quote the opposition in that country complaining that the state is murdering civilians.
Mozambique’s interior minister, Amade Miquidade, last month attacked what he described as dis-information spread by independent journalists who are calling into question the credibility of Mozambique’s security forces.
He also blasted Jose Manteigas, a spokesman for Renamo, the main opposition party, who has accused the country’s security forces of “murdering” civilians.
Miquidade said the security forces “will not tolerate these acts of subversion.”
Zitimar news agency, quotes Manteigas alleging that Mozambique’s security forces killed 12 civilians — including two Renamo members — when they attacked boats at jetties on Ibo island in mid-April.
In another report, the interior minister has claimed that security forces have since put the situation in Cabo Delgado under control.
“The situation in Cabo Delgado, at this moment, is under control. What does that mean? We have identified where the enemy is, what are their bases, what are their camps and their movements; while, the defence and security forces are strategically preparing for yet another offensive,” said Miquidade.
Seeing that Mnangagwa is officially assisting Nyusi with political direction, what kind of mentorship is Emmerson Mnangagwa giving the Mozambican leader, a professional one? How is the story unfolding?
So far, the report begins on the 4th May 1983, when Mnangagwa created fake terrorists having abducted and killed 6 western tourists. The victims were: Brett Baldwin, 23, of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Kevin Ellis, 24, of Bellevue, Wash.; Britons James Greenwell and Martyn Hodgeson; and Australians Tony Bajzeli and William Butler.
The Gwesela sequel.
ZIFA’s spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela has in recent days responded to allegations by some quarters in Matebeleland who attack him saying that he is the son of the notorious so called dissident, Ranson or Richard Gwesela, a terrorist Mnangagwa created in the 1980s.
Gwesela is the infamous “immortal” character who the Zimbabwean military claimed they were after between 1983 and 1987 when they continued to kill civilians until more than 22,000 people were massacred. He was immortal for a whole 4 years and only “killed” when ZANU PF now wanted to sign a unity accord with Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU party in 1987.
Thousands of people sensationally flocked to a police station in Gweru on the 18th November 1987 for a glimpse of the bullet-riddled corpse of Zimbabwe’s most wanted “fugitive.”
Zimbabwe Republic Police say Richard Gwesela, a former guerrilla fighter, was a gang leader who terrorized the people of two provinces for four years.
Gwesela was alleged to have murdered 20 people in the Midlands and neighbouring Matabeleland provinces. He also was said to have raped women and robbed villagers.
In silence, onlookers walked past his body sprawled beneath a wanted poster offering $30,000 for him, dead or alive.
The state media said Gwesela was the country’s most wanted man, and was killed in a gunbattle with Zimbabwean security forces near Gweru “on Sunday,” earlier.
His death was reported for the first time three days later, on the Wednesday. There were no independent investigations to confirm the state media report.
His mother and an uncle identified the corpse as Gwesela, and police fingerprints confirmed the identity, according to the state media report.
″Gwesela had killed more than 20 people since he started operating in the area,″ Enos Nkala, home affairs minister in charge of police, told reporters. ″Now he is going to join them, whether in heaven or hell, we don’t know,” he said.
NEW TWIST.
33 years later, some Mthwakazi activists have begun claiming ZIFA’s Gwesela was rewarded the sports job for a sterling role the supposed father played as an insider who staged for Emmerson Mnangagwa during Gukurahundi in order to kill civilians, pursuing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s terror operation to kill people under the guise of flushing out dissidents.
One activist makes the above chilling allegations (pic).
Responding however, ZIFA’s Mr Xolisani Gwesa told ZimEye, the so called Gwesela was not even a real Gwesela.
He said: “This writer is waffling. I am shocked by these ghastly falsehoods.
“I am the son of the late Chief Gwesela whose real name was Cornelius Nobody Gwesela Ndebele who died in 1996.He was never a dissident. The so called “dissident Gwesela” was never a Gwesela and his real name was Zedious Mangena.
“I am holder of a Masters Degree in Media and Society studies, Post grad Diploma in Media , Bsc Honours degree , Diploma in Management and Diploma in Sport Management.
“I have over 15 years experience in media management and sport management and events coordination. I joined Zifa purely on merit.
“The Gweselas are also from Zhombe and not Lower Gweru. The Gweselas are also from Zhombe and not Lower Gweru.”
ZIMBABWE, THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING CROP ECONOMY SUDDENLY CRASHED FOLLOWING MNANGAGWA’S PRONOUNCEMENTS
Rhodesia, was once the worst hit African economy by both United Nations sanctions and a debilitating 14 year running civil war from within, and yet by 1976, it had been hailed as the world’s fastest growing crop economy. So what really went wrong? Soon after 1980, it was handed over to Robert Mugabe and his state security minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, who less than 3 years later launched a military crackdown against civilians who he personally described as cockroaches who must be wiped out using DDT. That operation destroyed the economy in ways exactly similar to the recent 1 Aug 2018 military crackdown (which the Finance Ministry has told The Motlanthe Commission has cost the nation USD16 billion.) Zimbabwe’s economy began crumbling following Mnangagwa’s words on the 4th April 1983:
“Blessed are they who will follow the path of the Government laws, for their days on earth will be increased. But woe unto those who will choose the path of collaboration with dissidents for we will certainly shorten their stay on earth.”
As Minister of State Security, Mnangagwa was in charge of the brutal massacre of more than 22 000 Ndebele. He labeled dissidents ‘cockroaches’ and the killers of the Fifth Brigade army unit as ‘DDT,’ an insecticide.
Economy data shows how the country’s GDP crashed down following the operation, and effects were immediately felt from 1983 all the way to 1985.
Fast forward to the period 2004 – 2018 more evidence shows the correlation between economic performance and the rule of law, specifically human rights adherence.
MNANGAGWA’S METHOD.
But Mnangagwa’s method is different. He operates on the belief that an economy is only built by killing people, and his appetite for shedding blood is evident for 40 years to date during which he has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa. On the 2nd January, 2020, he told residents of Kuwadzana, Harare that he will send the army after them once he suspects them to have stopped the rain. This came barely 2 years after he deployed the military to change election results and citizens for the first time witnessed soldiers opening fire against shoppers going about the day-to-day business.
What kind of mentorship is Emmerson Mnangagwa giving the Mozambican leader, a professional one?
There is no doubt that Mnangagwa will deny all this evidence even to the Mozambicans. But his file is now full and fat, a whole 37 years full.
If Mnangagwa created Fake Terrorist Gwesela and killed 22,000 people saying army's hunting for him (for a whole 4yrs 1983-87), and then created Fake Polling stations for Filipe Nyusi in Masvingo (in 2019), what stops him from creating Fake Terrorists in Mozambique for pleasure?
OVER 100 families who were last week evicted from the Anglican Church-owned Cyrene Farm at Mcwazini area in Figtree, Matabeleland South Province, by the Sheriff of the High Court, have since returned to the property.
The villagers were in 2003 ordered by the High Court under case number HC2444/03 to vacate the property within seven days following an application by the Anglican Church.
The villagers were served with the eviction papers on Wednesday last week, two decades after they had occupied the farm at the height of the land reform programme in 2000.
According to the writ of ejectment, the eviction order followed a judgment by High Court Judge President Justice George Chiweshe directing the villagers who were represented by six members, to vacate the farm.
The order granted by Justice Chiweshe reads: “The respondents and any persons claiming through them as well as other persons presently in unlawful occupation of Cyrene Farm, Figtree, be and are hereby ordered to vacate Cyrene Farm together with all their property and possessions immediately upon service of this order, failure of which the Deputy Sheriff with the assistance of officer-in-charge Figtree are hereby authorised and directed to evict the respondents.”
The farm has been at the centre of a wrangle between the Anglican Diocese Church of Matabeleland and the villagers who argue that they were allowed to remain on the farm by the Government after it gazetted the property for land redistribution on November 14, 2014 under General Notice 467 of 2014.
When Chronicle visited the farm yesterday, most of the villagers had returned to the property insisting that their stay was within the confines of the law.
Mcwazini Village secretary Mr Lutha Maduna said tempers flared soon after villagers were served with the eviction order and anti-riot police had to intervene.
“We were busy conducting our routine chores when the Sheriff of the High Court accompanied by Anglican Church officials, a group of youths and police arrived at the farm. The Sheriff produced an eviction order and they started removing our properties,” he said.
“In some cases, tempers flared as villagers resisted the move and police had to intervene to save the situation from degenerating into chaos. This is not the first time that we have been evicted and what is shocking is that at one time the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs visited the farm and assured us that no one would evict us.”- Chronicle
AN Independence Day illegal party in Hwange ended in tragedy after a villager who grabbed a married woman to dance with her allegedly stabbed her protesting husband to death.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said Advance Sibanda (33) of Makwandara Village under Chief Nekatambe died in the early hours of Monday, five hours after being stabbed by Bongani Dube (31) of Sialwindi in neighbouring Chief Dingani-Nelukoba’s area.
Dube is also admitted to St Patrick’s Hospital in Hwange under police guard with a deep stab wound on the thigh, although his attacker is not yet known.
Dube told police Sibanda stabbed him while some witnesses said he may have stabbed himself to appear as if he was attacked.
Police are investigating the allegations.
“I can confirm that we received a report of murder where a man died following an attack at a party,” said Insp Banda. “They were drinking beer at Makwandara grinding mill while celebrating Independence Day around 1am.
“Dube, who was dancing, grabbed Sibanda’s wife Ms Buhlebenkosi Ncube (18). Sibanda got angry and confronted Dube resulting in a misunderstanding.”
A fight ensued between Sibanda and Dube, who allegedly drew a knife from a pocket and stabbed Sibanda on the right armpit.
Insp Banda said people who were present saw Dube removing something from his pocket and stabbing Sibanda, although they did not clearly see the kind of weapon used.
Police later recovered a blood stained Okapi knife from Dube.
After being stabbed, Sibanda attempted to flee from the scene, but ran for about 36 metres and collapsed.
Police said some villagers carried Sibanda in a wheelbarrow to Makwandara Clinic at around 3am and on arrival they found Dube seated at the clinic with an injured thigh seeking medical assistance.
Sibanda died around 5am before he could be transferred to a hospital.
A report was made to the police who attended the scene and found members of the public still drinking beer and playing loud music at the murder scene, while there were traces of blood near the grinding mill.
Insp Banda said Mercy Rwafa, a member of the community who hosted the party, was arrested for holding an illegal party during lockdown and is detained at Dete Police Station.
He urged members of the public to desist from violence and violating lockdown rules.- The Herald
The two seven-year-old cousins killed last week on their way home from school in central Mutasa are suspected to have been murdered by their uncle who allegedly tried to throw search parties off the scent by giving false information as the community mobilised to find the missing children.
Dilan and Melissa Benza were killed at an abandoned homestead halfway on the direct 4km route between Mbaza Primary School and their home. Their bodies, with deep neck cuts and throats slit, were dumped in a disused toilet. Search parties followed a trail of blood found at the homestead when searching the day after the killings.
While initial reports suggested the bodies were intact, there are now suspicions that blood was extracted and that some body parts could have been taken.
Solomon Manyau (48) is a maternal uncle to Dilan, and a member of Mbaza Primary School’s School Development Committee. He emerged as the prime suspect because when the searches started on the afternoon of Tuesday last week he allegedly said he had last seen the children near the Kavhuru homestead about 4km from the school, and then later changed his story and said he had last seen them near the school looking for wild fruits, hubva or tsubvu.
Although Manyau was the first to be picked up, police then wanted to talk to Passmore Sambaza, thought to be the last person seen with the children. But he allegedly tried to flee the area and was reportedly picked near London Stores as he was leaving.
Manyau and Sambaza are expected to appear in court today (Wednesday) for initial remand.
Whoever killed the small children took advantage of the overgrown surroundings of the abandoned Sambaza homestead.
The tall grass gave the murderers enough cover to execute their mission without drawing any attention from passers-by.
Although post-mortem results are still to be given, Melissa’s father, Mr Douglas Benza, believes that the children were killed for rituals. He said some people who had close scrutiny of the two children’s bodies moments after being retrieved from the Blair toilet where they had been thrown, said some body parts were missing.
The agitated community did not mince its words when a visit was made to the area at the weekend, demanding justice to the perpetrators.
Dilan’s mother, Ms Lydia Manyau, who had emotions choking her regularly during the 18-minute narration of the events had no kind words to her relative, Solomon.
“It pains to lose your child in such a cruel manner. On that day, I woke up early and prepared breakfast and lunchbox for my son. Dilan and Melissa are cousins and were just inseparable even in death. They would walk to and from school together.
“There was an SDC meeting at the school, and I also attended the meeting, but left a bit early. I never harboured thoughts that I would never see my son again. I went back home to attend to other chores. Being Grade One children, I expected them to arrive home earlier than other upper grades, but on that day they were not home on time.
“Around 3pm, I started having a feeling that something was amiss because the children would usually arrive home around 1pm. I checked with Melissa’s parents, who stay nearby and they said their daughter was still to arrive,” she said.
Ms Manyau said they spread word around Sambaza and Mhanda villages of the missing children. The Benzas are originally from Mhanda Village, but are currently staying in Sambaza Village.
“As it was getting dark, a neighbour suggested that we communicate with Solomon Manyau as he was among the last people to leave the SDC meeting at Mbaza Primary School. When he was phoned, Solomon indicated that he had last seen the children near the Kavhuru homestead. We combed the area, but failed to locate the children.
“We even searched the nearby Nhindiwa River to no avail. We phoned Manyau again and he said he had last seen the children near the school grounds looking for wild fruits. His narrations were not tallying and this prompted us to go back to the school.
“Although it was late at night, I braved the darkness to go and inquire with Dilan’s teacher. We were told that the two had left school around mid-day and I was left weak-kneed,” said Ms Manyau as emotions got the better of her.
The search continued the following day on Wednesday and the search parties were boosted by the seconding of Form Four and Six boys from Mbaza High School, leading to the discovery of the children in the pit latrine.
Mr Benza said although he is still to come face-to-face with the suspects following their arrest, he will never forgive them.
“I cannot fathom my daughter being brutally killed. When her body was retrieved from the pit latrine, she had dust all over showing that she had tried to resist, but was overpowered.
“I think Solomon’s inconsistent answers when he was phoned was a decoy to keep the search parties away from the crime scene as they were busy concealing evidence. We are also being told that there was a speeding car that was spotted around Sadziwa area around 10pm as we were searching for the children,” said Mr Benza.
“We are being told that death sentence was outlawed, but these people do not have a place in our society. Once convicted, they should be relocated to another area because I cannot continue interacting with them. They should also undergo the same pain that our children went through before they met their fate,” he said.
Mr Benza added: “I cannot believe it that at this time and age there are people who still believe in ritual killings. Why did they target our two innocent children. My heart is also bleeding as I recently lost another child in unclear circumstances. The child just complained of stomach pain and died before being attended to at the clinic.”- The Herald
Nurses have described the government as “very cruel” and its decision to scrap health workers’ non-claimable night-duty allowances as a “provocation”.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo on Monday said nurses would not tolerate the removal of the allowances. Said Dongo:
There is no way that we expect the government to remove what it had given to its workers. It’s tantamount to victimisation and provocation.
We feel that the government wants to provoke workers so that they take the matter into their own hands. It’s the trend globally that workers who work overtime are paid.
It shows that the employer is very cruel, instead of thanking their workers by giving them remuneration; they want to thank them by removing the peanuts which we were being given since 2018.
That is bad and we are not going to tolerate that.
Last year the government unilaterally scrapped its flexitime arrangement with nurses whereby they reported for duty on a certain number of days per week due to a shortage of personal protective equipment and poor remuneration.- NewsDay
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has betrayed the liberation war promises…
This was said by MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa at the weekend.
President Chamisa denounced the incessant persecution of political activists by the Zanu PF regime.
“Activist Lengwani Mavhunga burnt with acid…This can’t be independence.The freedom promise has been deferred. The ‘crocodile’ liberators have betrayed the liberation promise. We must each and together act to give meaning to our independence. We need a new brand of politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also responded to Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to belittle him…
“Let’s build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.
… We have always invited him to smoke the peace pipe, but he is carrying a machete and sjamboks and that is the problem. He thinks every problem is a nail that needs a hammer. Violence has no winner and one thing about violence is that no one has a monopoly (over it).
He mistakes us as an opposition. We are not an opposition, but an alternative. That lady (Thokozani Khupe) and that guy (Douglas Mwonzora) he created are his ‘opposition’.
He says there must be a loyal opposition, loyal to who? We are loyal and patriotic to Zimbabwe and its people.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has betrayed the liberation war promises…
This was said by MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa at the weekend.
President Chamisa denounced the incessant persecution of political activists by the Zanu PF regime.
“Activist Lengwani Mavhunga burnt with acid…This can’t be independence.The freedom promise has been deferred. The ‘crocodile’ liberators have betrayed the liberation promise. We must each and together act to give meaning to our independence. We need a new brand of politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also responded to Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to belittle him…
“Let’s build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.
… We have always invited him to smoke the peace pipe, but he is carrying a machete and sjamboks and that is the problem. He thinks every problem is a nail that needs a hammer. Violence has no winner and one thing about violence is that no one has a monopoly (over it).
He mistakes us as an opposition. We are not an opposition, but an alternative. That lady (Thokozani Khupe) and that guy (Douglas Mwonzora) he created are his ‘opposition’.
He says there must be a loyal opposition, loyal to who? We are loyal and patriotic to Zimbabwe and its people.”
An investigation officer in the matter involving MDC Alliance youths, one of whom was allegedly burnt with suspected sulphuric acid on the face while in police custody, yesterday said she did not know how the accused sustained the injuries.
The two MDC Alliance youth — Lengwan Mavhunga and Munyaradzi Mafararikwa — were represented by Webster Jiti when they appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
Mavhunga appeared in court with burns on his face and was struggling to walk.
The investigating officer Chenai Isabel Makanidzana told the court that she was not in a position to tell if the accused was injured while in police custody, adding that the accused persons should not be granted bail.
Makanidzana told the court that the pair was arrested on the scene, adding that if released, there was a probability that they would interfere with State witnesses.
But the defence, led by Jiti, asked Makanidzana why she was so malicious to the extent of opposing bail when she knew that accused persons were tortured while in custody.
Makanidzana’s response was that she did not see the accused persons being tortured, adding that she was in court to give evidence on the offences they committed.
On Saturday, the court heard that medical doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals refused to treat the pair in handcuffs, resulting in the police officers removing them. Mafararikwa and Mavhunga were arrested after emerging from court where they intended to attend the trial of MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala.
It is alleged that on April 15, they obstructed the movement of traffic by dumping burning garbage in the middle of the roads. –Newsday
The trustees of the Grace Mugabe Foundation have filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to bar the police from seizing property at the former First Lady’s Mazowe orphanage.
They said the search and seizure warrant was not clear for them to allow the police to execute it.
The officer-in-charge of Mazowe Police Station, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and an Assistant Inspector Chinwamaruku were cited as respondents in the matter.
Their application is for an interdict, seeking stay of execution of the warrant. It is alleged that on April 15 this year at around 4pm, Chinwamaruku led a team of police officers to Amai Grace Mugabe Junior and Senior schools with a warrant of search and seizure.
The schools belong to the former First Lady. But the trustees said the warrant had material deficiencies in that it did not sufficiently and distinctly particularise the property that was intended to be identified from the search exercise.
“It was embarrassingly vague for generalising some of the property using language such as a stolen transformer, a 125kvA generator, 20 wooden cabins. The search warrant does not specifically identify the physical address of the place of the intended search …,” they said.
They also said the police arrived towards nightfall while the search warrant did not specifically permit them to conduct their search at night as required by the law.
One Mark Rujuwa, who deposed a certificate of urgency, stated that there was an imminent threat of invasion of privacy.
In an affidavit filed on behalf of the trustees, Jabulani Dumbura said Chinwamaruku arrived at the orphanage in the company of other officers and a civilian only identified as Danda, who was driving them in a BMW X5 vehicle.
“This is a critical point that was already expressed, there are students that are currently housed in the learning facilities together with orphans at the orphanage. There has to be a check-in methodology of potentially searching into the private space of students and orphans,” Dumbura submitted.
Over 100 families who were last week evicted from the Anglican Church-owned Cyrene Farm at Mcwazini area in Figtree, Matabeleland South Province, by the Sheriff of the High Court, have since returned to the property.
The villagers were in 2003 ordered by the High Court under case number HC2444/03 to vacate the property within seven days following an application by the Anglican Church.
The villagers were served with the eviction papers on Wednesday last week, two decades after they had occupied the farm at the height of the land reform programme in 2000.
According to the writ of ejectment, the eviction order followed a judgment by High Court Judge President Justice George Chiweshe directing the villagers who were represented by six members, to vacate the farm.
The order granted by Justice Chiweshe reads: “The respondents and any persons claiming through them as well as other persons presently in unlawful occupation of Cyrene Farm, Figtree, be and are hereby ordered to vacate Cyrene Farm together with all their property and possessions immediately upon service of this order, failure of which the Deputy Sheriff with the assistance of officer-in-charge Figtree are hereby authorised and directed to evict the respondents.”
The farm has been at the centre of a wrangle between the Anglican Diocese Church of Matabeleland and the villagers who argue that they were allowed to remain on the farm by the Government after it gazetted the property for land redistribution on November 14, 2014 under General Notice 467 of 2014.
When Chronicle visited the farm yesterday, most of the villagers had returned to the property insisting that their stay was within the confines of the law.
Mcwazini Village secretary Mr Lutha Maduna said tempers flared soon after villagers were served with the eviction order and anti-riot police had to intervene.
“We were busy conducting our routine chores when the Sheriff of the High Court accompanied by Anglican Church officials, a group of youths and police arrived at the farm. The Sheriff produced an eviction order and they started removing our properties,” he said.
“In some cases, tempers flared as villagers resisted the move and police had to intervene to save the situation from degenerating into chaos. This is not the first time that we have been evicted and what is shocking is that at one time the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs visited the farm and assured us that no one would evict us.”
Mr Maduna said the latest evictions have left the villagers shocked and confused. Another villager Ms Lucky Bhebhe, a mother of six, said they were legally resettled by Government.
“The church is victimising us for no apparent reason. They came here last week and ordered us to vacate the farm as they removed our properties from our houses and dumped them along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway,” she said.
“Some of my property such as my wardrobe was extensively damaged while being taken out of my bedroom. It was a sad scenario as we were being evicted and children were screaming while the elderly fainted as they watched helplessly as their goods were being thrown out of their huts.”
Ms Bhebhe said since moving into Cyrene Farm in 2000, she has been surviving on farming.
“I also managed to take my children to school through farming and one of my children is now at university. It is shocking that today we are now being forced to move out of the farm yet Government gazetted the farm in 2014,” she said.
Ms Bhebhe said some angry villagers staged a protest as they waved placards denouncing the church as they vowed to stay put.
Mrs Catherine Ndlovu said the Anglican Church had no right to evict them as the land belonged to Government.
“This farm is now Government property and I don’t see the reason why the church is evicting us, particularly now that we are about to harvest. Where do they want us to take our livestock? We are asking Government to address this issue once and for all given that this is the third eviction,” she said.
Another villager, who declined to be named, said the latest evictions were motivated by alleged corrupt activities by some war veterans who allegedly resettled people near Cyrene High School in exchange for money. Anglican Diocese of Matabeleland secretary, Mr Lazarus Mwanza refused to comment on the matter.
In 2015, the Anglican Church-run Cyrene Mission’s administrators issued a statement, saying the gazetting of the institution’s farm for land redistribution was an “administrative error” by the Government.
The church said it had engaged the Government to get the land take-over reversed. Efforts to contact the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka were fruitless as his phone continuously rang without being answered. -Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala was blocked from seeing arrested party activists at the weekend.
Hon Sikhala is a registered legal practitioner.
The MDC Alliance official described the Zanu PF system as dangerous.
“I have phoned the Min of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi who is responsible for prison services that the system they are creating is dangerous and will 1 day come back to bite them.
How would a registered legal practitioner like myself denied right to see clients,” fumed Hon Sikhala.
“I am at Harare Remand prison (at the weekend) bringing food to Legwani Mavhunga and Munyaradzi Mafararikwa who were badly tortured.
One prison officer, a Chibwe is saying tht he hs bn told by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Chikobvu not to allow myself to see them. This behavior is abhorrent,” added Hon Sikhala.
Tinashe Sambiri|Irate soccer fans have castigated referee Grace Gimo for ruining the Independence Cup Final between traditional rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Gimo, described as one of the best referees in the country, was problably overawed by the big match.
According to soccer analysts, Gimo was a ball of nerves throughout the match, making glaring blunders in the process.
However, ZIFA has defended Gimo’s performance.
Zifa referees committee chairman, Brighton Malandule said the criticism of Gimo was “unfortunate and bordering on gender stereotyping.”
” I know there are mixed reactions on her performance but Grace is one of the best referees in the country. At FIFA there are no female or no male referees, there is no gender discrimination, the referees are chosen based on competence not gender.
We want to say that as a committee that we categorically condemn the abuse that was directed at the match official. I am still to see the match commissioner’s report and if indeed there was abuse, we are going to take action against the players found guilty,” Malandule told an online sports publication.
It is a headache of varying intensity accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
Usually more common in females than males. Besides the headache, people may also experience pain in the face or neck, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling of being unwell, scalp tenderness, irritability and an aura (feelings one experiences which vary from chaotic distortions sometimes paraesthesia that happens before the headache).
Migraine headaches are also known to be associated with obesity and those with a family member who have a migraine headache. There is known cause but there are triggers that are known: chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, hangover, oral contraceptives (should be avoided in those suffering from migraines), travelling. Treatment can be divided into:
JOSE MOURINHO was axed as Tottenham boss after a players’ revolt.
The Special One’s 17-month reign in charge at Spurs came to an end when he was sacked this morning — just six days before they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
But while it was Daniel Levy who did the firing, it was the club’s playing stars who supplied the bullets after several of them went to see their chairman to complain about the Special One’s tactics and methods, which had raised an increasing number of eyebrows in their dressing room in recent weeks.
Senior squad members had bitten their lips after becoming accustomed to the way Mourinho treated and ignored those not in his plans with absolute contempt.
But they could stay silent no longer when he tried to throw them under the bus and blame them for Tottenham’s failure to win the Europa League and close in on a top-four finish.
And when first-team regulars who had previously been “Mourinho loyalists” started to voice their concerns, Levy simply had to act.
There were too many unhappy faces on the training ground which Levy patrols daily.
They are believed to have included skipper Hugo Lloris and striker Harry Kane.
Both of whom had been staunchly behind Mourinho, but even the France and England captains are believed to have become concerned by Mourinho’s actions.
After the 58-year-old’s exit was confirmed, Kane tweeted: “Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
Under previous boss Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham’s training Enfield HQ had become a place where all members of staff, including execs, cleaners and multi-million pound football celebrities greeted each other with a handshake and a “Good morning.”
Now it was threatening to become an environment where players and colleagues could not even look each other in the eyes. — BBC Sport
By Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisie | We all live in a community were we have plumbers, welders, tailors, carpenter, builders, etc. As part of our commitment to increase web presence we are offering FREE web development train a trainer programme to Zimbabwean youths. Zimbabwe is battling with youth unemployment and starting a business or engaging in self-employment is increasingly seen as part of a strategy to address the youth employment challenge. Hansole is an information and communication technology (ICT) and a member of Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (ZISPA). Our intention is to train website developers who will become train a trainer within their communities. We are looking for ICT individual from Zimbabwe’s all ten provinces to join our train a trainer program who will return to their provinces, towns or cities and districts to train individuals who have access to the internet and a computer. All you need is basic computer skills. This is a program that will lead to at least 3,000 youths per year and creating youths who are self employed.
For one to develop a website all they need is to register a domain, we provide access to the Cpanel (control panel). In the cpanel there is hundreds of templates which a train a trainer website developer can chose from and it will take an average developer only 15 minutes to develop and publish a website of international standard.
Zimbabwe’s education does not empower our youths to have entrepreneur skills and average young people find it more difficult than adults to engage in business because they have less capital in the form of skills, knowledge and experience, collaterals and less access to business network. The ICT is the only sector that can empower our youths and what makes Zimbabwe’s environment ideal is it is dominated by the informal sector that is desperate to sell its products and services.
The Zimbabwean government is now pushing for entrepreneurship education and training programmes which are an important component of any strategy to promote entrepreneurial activity among young people. This is ideally valuable means for shaping young people’s attitudes and competencies to become self-employed. Where schools do not promote entrepreneurship as an option for young people, us as employers can lobby for its incorporation into the curriculum.
Youth unemployment has become the global “number one” policy issue for governments and multilateral agencies with many many countries experiencing endemically high levels. In response, most governments and international organizations are introducing more active labour market interventions to address youth unemployment. To complement this initiative Hansole is proposing to train as many youths as possible who will be creating website for the plumber, welder, tailor, motor mechanic, shop owners infact all the small to medium enterprises and informa sector.
If you would like to know more about this progamme please do not hesitate to contact us +263772278161 or [email protected]
By A Correspondent -A Mutare based lady of the night is thanking her lucky stars after she received a massive windfall of US$15 000 from an apparently satisfied client who had hired her for a single night.
The free-spending client is suspected to be an illegal gold panner, mukorokoza in local parlance, who had been shunned by the thigh vendor’s colleagues due to a distinct lack of hygiene.
The Eastern Review has learned from The Weekender that the incident in question happened to a Mutare based lady of the night who is professionally known as Joyie.
According to Joyie’s colleagues and other witnesses who spoke to the publication, when the client approached the ladies of their night seeking to hire them, a lot of them avoided him. They claimed that he was visibly shabby and was clad in a pair of dirty tattered black jeans, a black T-shirt and a rugged pair of shoes that had seen better days. He also said to have been emitting a strong body odour and seemed to be drunk.
As a result of this, he seemed unappealing and most of the girls avoided him. However, Joyie was brave enough to put up with the man for the night, despite his lack of charm. According to some of the girls who overheard the negotiations, Joyie agreed to spend the whole night with the man for US$15.
The next morning, Joyie was stunned when the client added a few more zeros to the amount they had agreed on.
One of the thigh vendors narrated the events of the morning to the publication as follows: “She screamed and we were all startled with the noise. We gathered in the corridor to hear the news. One of Joyie’s friends who had also shunned the client fainted. To be honest, we were all shocked. Joyie flaunted the money on her bed and asking us to take her pictures,”
Another girl added: “The man told Joyie that he was adding more zeros to his $15 offer and gave her a breakdown. He said US$5 000 was meant for her lobola, the other US$5 000 was for her upkeep, while the remaining US$5 000 was for her car.”
Joyie is reported to have left the place where she was staying fearing that she would be robbed. She also seems to have temporarily stopped using her known number as it has been unreachable since her US$15 000 windfall.
By A Correspondent- A Buhera traditional healer (sangoma) has been arrested for providing shelter to a robber wanted in connection with a US$2,7 million heist.
The sangoma, Shadreck Tadira (58), his wife Margaret Mutaka (49) of Chief Nyashanu, and two accomplices Vongai Majoro (42) and Nyarai Murapa (43) appeared separately before Harare magistrates Judith Taruvinga and Dennis Mangosi.
The four were granted $5 000 bail each and the matter was remanded to May 5.
Allegations were that in January this year, police were on a manhunt for Patrick Matengambiri, who had committed a US$2,7 million robbery.
Detectives went to look for him at the accused persons’ residence, where he was hiding, only to discover that he had escaped.
The money had been hidden in the garden and in February this year, Matengambiri asked Mutaka to dig it out and give it to his wife, Ester Mutesvu, who gave the accused persons US$1 600 as a token of appreciation for giving her husband refuge.
It is alleged that Matengambiri, who is still at large, gave Murapa and Majoro US$65 000 which they used to buy him a house in Aspindale, Harare.
The duo also bought a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, which they registered in the name of Majoko.
They were arrested in Avondale, Harare, in a high-speed chase by the police.
Murapa and Majoro were represented by Tungamirai Chakurira.
By James Gwati- Members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) are vying for the blood of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) Mqondisi Moyo.
The CIO operatives were at the weekend seen moving near the politicians Bulawayo house and at the same time asking his neighbours about his whereabouts.
The CIOs are accusing Moyo of mobilising his party members to clash with police at Tabas Induna Farm in Ntabazinduna over a land dispute last month.
Nine MRP members were arrested after they stormed the farm demanding the eviction of former Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s son-in-law Floyd Ambrose.
By A Correspondent- The High Court has granted permission to a second wife to be part of divorce proceedings between her husband and his first wife.
High Court judge Justice Esther Muremba accepted a joinder application by Sylvia Mupombwa to be part of the proceedings between her husband Tawainga Arnold Katsvairo and his first wife Matirasa Katsvairo.
Justice Muremba observed that Mupombwa had clearly established that she has a direct interest in the matter and should be included in the proceedings to defend her interests.
“The applicant’s (Mupombwa) non-joinder to the divorce action will have consequences to the respondents since she can still sue the second respondent (Tawainga) at any time for distribution of the same property the first respondent (Matirasa) is suing for in the divorce action.
“Clearly this will result in two separate matters or legal proceedings against the second respondent for the distribution of the same property in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.
“The end result is multiple litigation which can be circumvented by joining the applicant to the divorce action between the respondents,” Justice Muremba ruled.
In her application, Mupombwa claimed that she had a direct interest in the proceedings as she contributed in acquiring the property that was going to be distributed between the two.
Mupombwa and Tawainga entered into an unregistered customary marriage 14 years after the latter had been married to Matirasa.
She claims that the couple registered a customary law marriage on November 8, 1989 under the African Marriages Act which was later declared null and void by the courts on September 8, 2020.
Mupombwa insisted that she had no prior knowledge that the respondents had a civil marriage but instead she had believed the marriage between them to be customary.
“In support of her application for joinder in the divorce matter the applicant made the following averments.
“At all material times, based on the information of the respondents, the applicant believed that the marriage was a customary marriage which was potentially polygamous.
“She only became aware that they had a civil marriage when she received summons for a claim for adultery charges from the first respondent (Matirasa)…in 2019,” reads Mupombwa’s application.
She argued that if the application for joinder was denied, she would suffer irreparable damage as the respondents would unfairly profit from the efforts she had contributed during her marriage to Tawainga.
“The applicant averred that she had also laboured and contributed immensely for more than 40 years towards the marriage and accumulation of the matrimonial property which is subject to the divorce matter.
“The applicant has rights over the matrimonial assets listed in the divorce action and is therefore entitled to an equitable share of those assets.
“The applicant’s rights will certainly and seriously be affected by the judgement that will be made in the divorce matter. If the assets are distributed only between the respondents without her being heard she will suffer irreparable harm whilst the respondents will be unjustly enriched at her expense,” Mupombwa averred.
Matirasa challenged the application, alleging that Mupombwa had known of their civil marriage as she had stayed in their home in Mutoko for two months in 1979 where she had access to their wedding photographs.-dailynews
By A Correspondent- A self-proclaimed prophet and son of a prominent church pastor was on Saturday humiliated during his wedding in Budiriro. The wedding, however, proceeded after the drama. Ezekiel Chivasa was humbled by his estranged wife Jacqueline Mbangami (25) when he was set to exchange wedding vows with his sweetheart, Tafadzwa Mukanganga. His parents were forced into a crisis meeting where some of the wedding gifts were diverted to appease the “gatecrashers”. The wedding was held at Chivasa’s in-laws’ residence. Mbangami showed up at the wedding venue with her relatives just when Bishop Jerdan Paradise was about to facilitate the wedding vows and presented her issues to the marriage officer. “DJ, can you increase music volume to allow me to attend to this issue before we move on with our wedding vows,” Bishop Paradise said, as the conflict resolution process got underway. Bishop Paradise, after meeting with the Mbangani and Chivasa families, announced the resumption of the ceremony. Among the Chivasa family members who attended the meeting with the Mbangani family was musician Jonah Chivasa, who revealed that there had been attempts to move the wedding. “To be honest, I only learnt of Ezekiel’s child with Jacqueline at the last minute and we had agreed as a family to move the wedding date, but preparation costs carried the day,” said Jonah. He added: “We nearly cancelled the wedding and his unresolved issues have left us with egg on the face, especially for my father who is a pastor and myself as a musician. “I would like to thank the Mbangani family for allowing the marriage officer to go ahead with the ceremony after we assured the family of our support for the child’s welfare. “The incident has affected our mother more, considering that she has not been well for the past months. “Tichatopedzisira takumbira iye Ezekiel abve pa high table ambopindawo nesu meeting kuti vekwa Mbangani vamuudze zvichemo zvavo.” Sources close to the Chivasa family told H-Metro that they paid US$500 as fine to the Mbangani family for the wedding to proceed while they find a common ground to address the two-year-old child’s welfare. The bride, Tafadzwa was in tears as she looked in disbelief when the wedding was temporarily stopped for almost 20 minutes. Amid the 20-minute chaos, the bride’s mother Gladys Makufa was blamed for forcing Ezekiel to tie the knot with Tafadzwa, who is believed to be pregnant in a way to protect her image as an elder with a leading Pentecostal church. Some of the guests had no kind words for Gladys, accusing her of tarnishing the two families’ images. “Mai vemusikana ndivo vakamanikidzira muchato vakatoti ngauitirwe pamba pavo zvekunzi ane mwana hazvina basa zvino tazovanyarira zvikuru nezvaitwa izvi. “It is not good for church elders to conceal issues pertaining their children when they do wrong and become tough when solving other families’ issues. “She refused to move the wedding date since she is the one who met most of the wedding costs and she was yet to meet Tafadzwa’s in-laws,” said a guest. Gladys told H-Metro that she was not moved by the disruption of the wedding by the Mbangani family. “Everything went well and nothing official pointing to the wedding stoppage was announced so I can say it went according to plan.” She refused further questions. Jacqueline said she wanted her voice heard at the wedding since Ezekiel and his parents were turning a deaf ear to issues pertaining to her two-year-old child with Ezekiel. “We did not come with the intention to stop the wedding, but took the opportunity to seek attention from the family because Ezekiel has not been supporting the child for the past two years,” said Jacqueline. “Ezekiel only facilitated the child’s birth certificate and that was that; kwavakutozonzwa kuti akaitisa Tafadzwa mimba saka mai vake varikuda muchato nekukasira. “Church elders must not look down on other families to that extent as if we are not human beings who are also loved by the same God they worship,” she said in tears while holding the child. Ezekiel and Tafadzwa were not available to comment on the incident. — HMetro
By A Correspondent- More than 200 000 Zimbabweans have returned home over the past year due to the economic fallout from COVID-19 in countries where they had been working.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing nurses to help Zimbabwean officials conduct COVID-19 tests.
Other services include critical risk communications and disease surveillance activities, infection prevention and control, protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Reintegration Assistance.
IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission Mario Lito Malanca noted the number of returns exceeded expectations, highlighting the massive socio-economic impact the virus has had across the regions requiring a refocus on long-term solutions.
Said Malanca:
Without these measures, we will see many returnees falling deeper into crisis, resorting to negative coping mechanisms, and possibly being forced to migrate once again through irregular means.
More than 1.9 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Southern Africa since March 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and over 60,000 lives were lost.
Worst hit were the three main destination countries for Zimbabwean migrant workers: South Africa, Malawi and Botswana.
An IOM survey of the returnees found that, in most cases, the decision to return was linked to the impacts of the pandemic, including financial challenges, hunger and loss of accommodation, lack of access to medical assistance, mental health support, identity document issues and the risk of assault in the country where they were working.
The survey also found that the returnees have professional skills ranging from construction to trading, agriculture, catering, painting, and domestic work.
The Zimbabwean Government’s guidelines require returnees to have valid COVID-19 certificates prior to entering the country.
Without a valid test certificate, they are sent to provincial quarantine centres in Beitbridge, Plumtree and Chirundu to await testing.
By A Correspondent- Police in Harare have arrested a notorious robber who was part of a gang that robbed people at a bushy area between Coca-cola and One Commando Barracks in Harare.
The arrested robber, Tafadzwa Chamahwinya (26), and his two accomplices who are on the run robbed a man of his an Itel P33 cell phone, wallet and US$30 cash on Sunday at around 6 PM. Police said in a statement:
The ZRP confirms the arrest of Tafadzwa Chamahwinya (26) in connection with a case of robbery which occurred at a bushy area between Coca-cola and One Commando Barracks, Harare on 18/04/21 at about 1800 hrs.
The suspect together with his two accomplices who are still on the run, grabbed the complainant by the neck and stole an Itel P33 cell phone, wallet and US$30 cash all valued at US$195.
Meanwhile, Police have recovered the stolen cell phone and launched a manhunt on the remaining suspects.
In another development, police in Bulawayo arrested four suspects in connection with a robbery case that occurred in Mzilikazi Suburb also on Sunday at about 7 PM.
According to a police statement, the suspects attacked the complaint using bottles, fists and a belt before robbing him of US$56 and ZWL$100.
Police said:
Meanwhile, the ZRP reiterates that members of the public must report all criminal activities taking place in their communities at any Police Station
By James Gwati- Dancer and musician Sandra Ndebele said she has enrolled for a university degree so that she gets respect from her fans.
The Bulawayo based dancer who has been in the entertainment industry for two decades now, said getting a university degree would earn her more respect.
“As their role model, I am now studying towards a degree programme to ensure that I enhance my knowledge and wisdom as their mentor.
“To fellow artistes, I would like to urge them that it is never too late to follow suit and be counted among powerful women,” she said.
Ndebele made these revelations on the 41stIndependence gala held in the City of Kings and Queens .
By James Gwati-The detained nine Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) officials are battling for thier freedom after their arrest last month.
The nine were arrested after they stormed Tabas Induna Farm in Ntabazinduna demanding the eviction of former Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s son-in-law Floyd Ambrose.
Their lawyers said that they have applied for bail at the High Court following several unsuccessful bids to secure their release at the lower courts.
The MRP activists are facing charges of public violence and participating in an unlawful demonstration.
Nqobani Sithole from Abammeli Lawyers for Human Rights Monday confirmed that he had applied for bail at the High Court on behalf of the nine MRP activists.
“We applied for bail last week at the High Court. We are still waiting for a set-down date for the bail application hearing,” Sithole said.
By A Correspondent- A Shamva’s Vibranium Mine has gunned down two of his colleagues in a suspected case of mistaken identity.
The victims are battling for their lives at Shamva Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Garikai Chakaipa (55), allegedly shot his colleagues while on duty, recently appeared at Bindura Magistrate Courts on charges of attempted murder.
Prosecutor Edward Katsvairo submitted that on the 17th of this month, the two were on patrol at the other end of the mine when the incident occurred.
Allegations are that Chakaipa, who was armed with a shotgun and operating at a different site, randomly fired at his colleagues, suspecting that they were intruders.
The injured were taken to Shamva Hospital for treatment where they are recovering, while Chakaipa has been remanded in custody to the 30th of this month for trial.
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo junior soldier has wedded in full military uniform and used a bayonet fixed on a rifle to cut the wedding cake.
The wedding came as an early Independence Day celebration for the Nkomo and Ncube families on Saturday.
A soldier, Artwell Nkomo (27) the first son of the late Mr Nephat Nkomo and the late Mrs Sibusiso Ncube of Matshetsheni Village in Gwanda and his sweetheart Ntombizile Ncube (24) the first daughter of the late Mr Patrick Ncube and Mrs Helen Sibanda of Mleja Village, Filabusi tied the note in style at White Rose Gardens in Luveve Four suburb with full military honour.
It was a military wedding and the bride and the groom’s vehicles were escorted from Cowdray Park suburb where the couple lives, to the venue in Luveve by 13 soldiers as well as 14 civilians.
The procession ended up inviting uninvited guests as soldiers marched, showcasing their military way of conducting weddings.
The military band which provided music and entertainment did not disappoint.
The best man was from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Shingai Zishiri.
The cake cutting, exchanging of vows and the signing ceremony were all conducted under an arc of rifles.
By James Gwati-Amnesty International says Zanu PF has failed the people of Zimbabwe through maintaining colonial repressive laws.
was yesterday blasted for inheriting and maintaining colonial civic suppression tactics 41 years after independence.
East and Southern Africa Amnesty International regional director Deprose Muchena who was part of a panelduring a virtual meeting conducted by SIVIO Institute to discuss the state of affairs in the country 41 years after independence said the present government had failed to uphold its pledge to transform the lives of citizens, and instead closed the little available democratic space in the country.
“The new nationalist leaders promised to dismantle the colonial State, that is its laws, policies and its institutional framework, including weaponisation of the law, racism and discrimination,” he said.
“The leaders also promised to offer a sense of belonging to the citizens. Government also promised to respect human rights. However, at 41, the human rights question is still one of the biggest questions that human right defenders are still dealing with.”
By JJames Gwati-Police in Manicaland have have arrested two suspects, in connection with the gruesome murder of Dilan and Melissa Benza of Sambaza Village, in Nyanga last Tuesday
Solomon Munyama (48) and Passmore Kumbirai Sambaza (age not given) were arrested in Nyanga at the weekend.
The two grade one pupils were allegedly killed in cold blood on their way home from Mbaza Primary School and their bodies were found the following day dumped in a disused toilet at an abandoned homestead after searchers followed a trail of blood.
Melissa and Daniel Benza, both aged seven from Sambaza Village in Nyanga, were killed on the 4km walk from their school.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the arrested suspects are now assisting with investigations.
“The suspects are now assisting police with investigations.” Herald
Tottenham announce 29-year old as interim coach Tottenham have confirmed that Ryan Mason will be interim head coach until the end of the season.
Mason is just 29 years old, and has been coaching at the club since being forced into retirement through injury in 2018.
He takes over from Jose Mourinho, who was sacked after poor performances on Monday, and will be joined by Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs as Interim Assistant Head Coaches and Michel Vorm as Interim Goalkeeping Coach.
Ledley King will continue in his role as First Team Assistant.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “We have great belief in this squad of talented players. We have a cup final and six Premier League games ahead of us and we shall now focus all our energies on achieving a strong finish to the season.”- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|Irate soccer fans have castigated referee Grace Gimo for ruining the Independence Cup Final between traditional rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Grace Gimo
Gimo, described as one of the best referees in the country, was problably overawed by the big match.
According to soccer analysts, Gimo was a ball of nerves throughout the match, making glaring blunders in the process.
However, ZIFA has defended Gimo’s performance.
Zifa referees committee chairman, Brighton Malandule said the criticism of Gimo was “unfortunate and bordering on gender stereotyping.”
” I know there are mixed reactions on her performance but Grace is one of the best referees in the country. At FIFA there are no female or no male referees, there is no gender discrimination, the referees are chosen based on competence not gender.
We want to say that as a committee that we categorically condemn the abuse that was directed at the match official. I am still to see the match commissioner’s report and if indeed there was abuse, we are going to take action against the players found guilty,” Malandule told an online sports publication.
Tinashe Sambiri|Irate soccer fans have castigated referee Grace Gimo for ruining the Independence Cup Final between traditional rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Gimo, described as one of the best referees in the country, was problably overawed by the big match.
According to soccer analysts, Gimo was a ball of nerves throughout the match, making glaring blunders in the process.
However, ZIFA has defended Gimo’s performance.
Zifa referees committee chairman, Brighton Malandule said the criticism of Gimo was “unfortunate and bordering on gender stereotyping.”
” I know there are mixed reactions on her performance but Grace is one of the best referees in the country. At FIFA there are no female or no male referees, there is no gender discrimination, the referees are chosen based on competence not gender.
We want to say that as a committee that we categorically condemn the abuse that was directed at the match official. I am still to see the match commissioner’s report and if indeed there was abuse, we are going to take action against the players found guilty,” Malandule told an online sports publication.
Tottenham announce 29-year old as interim coach Tottenham have confirmed that Ryan Mason will be interim head coach until the end of the season.
Mason is just 29 years old, and has been coaching at the club since being forced into retirement through injury in 2018.
He takes over from Jose Mourinho, who was sacked after poor performances on Monday, and will be joined by Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs as Interim Assistant Head Coaches and Michel Vorm as Interim Goalkeeping Coach.
Ledley King will continue in his role as First Team Assistant.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “We have great belief in this squad of talented players. We have a cup final and six Premier League games ahead of us and we shall now focus all our energies on achieving a strong finish to the season.”- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
After Tottenham announced the sacking of coach Jose Mourinho, reports have quickly linked the gaffer’s axing to the European Super League.
The Portuguese was relieved of his duties just hours after Spurs had confirmed that they have joined the newly formed competition.
The club didn’t explain why they fired their coach, with the chairman, Daniel Levy, only saying that: “things have not worked as we both had envisaged”.
And this led to rumours that Mourinho was shown the exit door after he had refused to take players onto training ground in protest against the club’s Super League decision.
However, it has been revealed that his axing has nothing to do with those alleged developments, and it was just a decision based on a poor domestic campaign and failure in the Europa League.
The 58-year old’s last game in charge was on Friday evening when Tottenham played out to a 2-2 draw away against Everton which left the team in 7th place, 5 points away from the top 4 and 24 points adrift of log-leaders Manchester City.
Meanwhile, 29-year old Ryan Mason will take over as caretaker manager alongside Chris Powell.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
By Showbiz Reporter | There was drama when the socialite, Loveness Mutandagayi, popularly known as Diva Malaika who was kidnapped shortly after her story of violent domestic abuse became public 2 months ago, resurfaced to challenge people who have been accusing her of drug addiction.
Some Mahachi family members, her own siblings connived with her abusive husband, allegedly to obtain favours from the ZB bank Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Ronald Mutandagayi who is out on bail, told ZimEye that he was reacting to an attack using hot water by her.
But his 15 year old daughter who filmed the flooring incident has told ZimEye, that it is not true her father was attacked using hot water; saying the abuse only happened after he was confronted over alleged cheating.
In the same interview with ZimEye early March, Mutandagayi indicated that the alleged water attack did not happen on the same day.
Soon after the incident was made public, Malaika was visited on at her house by several men who kidnapped her and she says she positively identified one of them as Mutandagayi’s lawyer. The couple’s daughter told ZimEye her mother was taken away by police officers acting on orders of the dad who “pulled a fast one” on her.
Around that time several Mahachi family members bombarded ZimEye with abusive telephone calls demanding that the video of the attack must be taken down. One of them, who is based in South Africa, Jaweet Mahachi said he was the one behind the seizing of his sister because he was concerned over “drug addiction.”
Around that time, there were a few influential personalities who circulated the allegations of drug addiction to describe Loveness Mutandagayi’s character, inciting that she requires emergency Mental Health Act law enforcement. As a result she was seized in front of her daughter and the lass was forced to change statements during a live broadcast, just as the mother, Diva Malaika was abducted. Now after six weeks of solitary confinement, Malaika has come out to challenge everyone of those peddling the allegations. VIDEO LOADING BELOW….
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has betrayed the liberation war promises…
This was said by MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa at the weekend.
President Chamisa denounced the incessant persecution of political activists by the Zanu PF regime.
“Activist Lengwani Mavhunga burnt with acid…This can’t be independence.The freedom promise has been deferred. The ‘crocodile’ liberators have betrayed the liberation promise. We must each and together act to give meaning to our independence. We need a new brand of politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also responded to Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to belittle him…
“Let’s build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.
… We have always invited him to smoke the peace pipe, but he is carrying a machete and sjamboks and that is the problem. He thinks every problem is a nail that needs a hammer. Violence has no winner and one thing about violence is that no one has a monopoly (over it).
He mistakes us as an opposition. We are not an opposition, but an alternative. That lady (Thokozani Khupe) and that guy (Douglas Mwonzora) he created are his ‘opposition’.
He says there must be a loyal opposition, loyal to who? We are loyal and patriotic to Zimbabwe and its people.”
Admiral Muskwe has been named in the English Championship Team of the Week following his performance over the weekend.
The 22-year-old Warriors striker scored early into the second half as Wycombe Wanderers drew 2-2 away at Swansea City on Saturday.
The goal was his third since his arrival at the club in January on a six-month loan from Leicester City.
Wanderers are bottom of the table on 34 points – nine points away from safety with four games remaining.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, another Warriors player, Teenage Hadebe was also voted among the best performers in the Super Lig Mathday 35 which was played over the weekend.
The Zimbabwe defender scored his first ever goal for Yeni Malatyaspor in their 1-0 win over Alanyaspor on Saturday.
He played the entire minutes of the game, heading home the match winner in the 64th.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
The future of Warriors captain Knowledge Musona is once again shrouded in uncertainty after the expiration of his loan spell at KAS Eupen.
Musona (30), made a dream come true move to RSC Anderlecht in 2018 but things did not go well there for the soft-spoken Aces Youth Academy graduate, who was frozen out of the first team by three different coaches.
He would join Eupen on a six month loan deal in January 2020. Musona impressed at Team Panda and the agreement between Andelecht and Eupen was reached for him to be loaned for another season.
That loan spell came to an end over the weekend, when the curtain came down on the 2020/21 Belgian Pro League with Eupen registering a 3-2 victory away at Charleroi.
The Warriors skipper was an important member of the Benat San Jose-coached side, and it remains to be seen whether another loan spell will be agreed or the move will be made permanent.
Musona has reiterated on several occasions, his desire to stay at Eupen.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said the concept of Independence has lost value and significance due to rampant abuse of human rights, corruption and plundering of State resources.
The Zanu PF regime has been terrorizing Zimbabweans from 1980 to the present day.The current Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is accused of using crocodile tactics to eliminate perceived political foes.
Below is VP Karenyi-Kore’s Independence message:
Zimbabwe’s 41st Year of Independence
A 41 year old person is generally expected to have: acquired a job, married, children, and started to seriously consider the adequacy of their pension pot.
So a person born in Zimbabwe in 1980 should be looking at these things.
To most Zimbabwean people of this age, let alone younger, this is a smack in their face, as most have never been in formal employment.
They might have married and have kids but means of looking after their families are limited to say the least. Pension is not even something that crosses their minds, as that is a concern for future survival whilst they are struggling to survive today.
Such people have only known two presidents in their lives. Some have used two currencies and some one, for the latter they never used one of their own.
Whether one is in this age group or not, all Zimbabweans have experienced violence of immense proportion. Those born before 1980 saw a lot of people being killed for the liberation of the country from Ian Smith’s colonial regime.
Those born in 1980 and after have seen violence being perpetrated by one Zimbabwean on another Zimbabwean. Tens of thousands of people were killed in Matebeleland (Gukurahundi), scores more were killed thereafter, the likes of Rashiwe Guzha, Tonderai Ndira and likely Itai Dzamara (as his fate is still unconfirmed).
The difference between the perpetrators of the violence is that the first one was different from the victims, whilst the second one is identical to his victims.
The other difference is that the first one, whilst he struggled with the victim’s skin colour he developed the country to an enviable state. Roads, houses, hospitals, office blocks, bridges and all required infrastructure were constructed. The second perpetrator inherited the same infrastructure and used it, and ended up over-using it without maintenance or constructing more infrastructure as the population increased.
Now the national infrastructure is on its knees.
There is also a difference of note. The first perpetrator used the resources within the country to develop the country. The second is looting the resources to economically destabilise and bankrupt the country, resulting in poverty of gigantic proportions.
Ian Smith created enough employment in the country so much that foreigners flocked into the country, particularly from Malawi.
Today the unemployment rate is above 90%, and scores of Zimbabweans are foreigners in neighbouring countries and beyond, seeking employment and survival as their beloved Zimbabwe has become inhabitable. There can’t be enough employment opportunities if all meaningful industries have either been shut down or significantly distabilised:NRZ, ZISCO, Willowvale, Bata, CAPS, Datlabs and Lever Brothers, just to mention a few.
With all these problems people are not free to highlight the government’s failures. Anyone who does is arbitrarily arrested if they are lucky because some have been killed in the last couple of years. The arrests are, however, strategic, with the intention of closing the democratic space. All dissent democratic voices are being locked up, even for issues which are constitutionally supposed to be settled by a fine, but in the majority of cases for issues which don’t even need police and/or judicial involvement: Last Maengahama, Madzokere, Makomborero, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe, Vongai Tome and Ngonidzashe Mupfumba. Scores of other MDC-A members, supporters and leaders have pending court cases on frivolous allegations. The government is hell bent to establish a one party state, democracy is bleeding.
Now the question is in which era would somebody rather be: the current Zimbabwe or Rhodesia? It is a shame that this question is worth asking in the first place. I have heard some saying Ian Smith was better because we had jobs, food, our own currency and stability. When a coloniser is preferred to one of your own then something is awfully wrong. Our politics has gone rogue.
It might be 41 years of independence but is there anything to celebrate for, is there anything to show for it?
Lynette Karenyi-Kore Vice President MDC Alliance 18 April 2021
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala was blocked from seeing arrested party activists at the weekend.
Hon Sikhala is a registered legal practitioner.
The MDC Alliance official described the Zanu PF system as dangerous.
“I have phoned the Min of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi who is responsible for prison services that the system they are creating is dangerous and will 1 day come back to bite them.
How would a registered legal practitioner like myself denied right to see clients,” fumed Hon Sikhala.
“I am at Harare Remand prison (at the weekend) bringing food to Legwani Mavhunga and Munyaradzi Mafararikwa who were badly tortured.
One prison officer, a Chibwe is saying tht he hs bn told by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Chikobvu not to allow myself to see them. This behavior is abhorrent,” added Hon Sikhala.
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has betrayed the liberation war promises…
This was said by MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa at the weekend.
President Chamisa denounced the incessant persecution of political activists by the Zanu PF regime.
“Activist Lengwani Mavhunga burnt with acid…This can’t be independence.The freedom promise has been deferred. The ‘crocodile’ liberators have betrayed the liberation promise. We must each and together act to give meaning to our independence. We need a new brand of politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also responded to Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to belittle him…
“Let’s build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.
… We have always invited him to smoke the peace pipe, but he is carrying a machete and sjamboks and that is the problem. He thinks every problem is a nail that needs a hammer. Violence has no winner and one thing about violence is that no one has a monopoly (over it).
He mistakes us as an opposition. We are not an opposition, but an alternative. That lady (Thokozani Khupe) and that guy (Douglas Mwonzora) he created are his ‘opposition’.
He says there must be a loyal opposition, loyal to who? We are loyal and patriotic to Zimbabwe and its people.”
The ruling party ZANU PF has distanced itself from errant motorists who are not obeying national regulations, using its car stickers as a shield against compliance to law enforcement authority.
Currently there are many vehicles, mostly unregistered, bearing ZANU PF stickers and the party has urged law enforcement not to give any preferential treatment to those motorists.
In a recent interview with The Herald, Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu appealed to the public to report cases where people abuse the revolutionary party’s name.
“I am also appealing to the ZRP to impound any equipment or vehicle that is used in the name of Zanu PF without really having to confirm with us. They should impound those vehicles especially those that are using Zanu PF stickers,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu said they have received reports that the stickers are mainly used to get favours at police checkpoints and to harass other motorists.
“The law enforcement agents should search any car despite the sticker. We are receiving reports of criminal activities taking place around the country using the party emblem,” said Dr Mpofu.
“We have also received reports that party stickers are being used by criminals to extort and harass people who are going about their normal daily chores.
“We don’t condone such behaviour. It is unacceptable, illegal, criminal and the party will act on such activities. We are receiving a lot of reports from various provinces about people and individuals who perform some criminal activities in the name of the party.”
In Matabeleland North province, a vehicle with party stickers was used to frustrate investors, said Dr Mpofu.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Province called Dr Mpofu yesterday advising him that party vehicles in his province were being used to frustrate an investment project that was launched by President Mnangagwa in Hwange.
“Some misguided elements used the party vehicle with the party emblem to frustrate this development and that happened last night (Wednesday),” he said. Dr Mpofu urged the public to report the characters involved to the police or party immediately when they come across them.
“Zanu PF is a disciplined party and we don’t condone any form of indiscipline on the part of our members. Obviously such actors are not members of the party, they are just infiltrators of the party or criminals who are masquerading as our members,” he said.
Tinashe Sambiri|Irate soccer fans have castigated referee Grace Gimo for ruining the Independence Cup Final between traditional rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Gimo, described as one of the best referees in the country, was problably overawed by the big match.
According to soccer analysts, Gimo was a ball of nerves throughout the match, making glaring blunders in the process.
However, ZIFA has defended Gimo’s performance.
Zifa referees committee chairman, Brighton Malandule said the criticism of Gimo was “unfortunate and bordering on gender stereotyping.”
” I know there are mixed reactions on her performance but Grace is one of the best referees in the country. At FIFA there are no female or no male referees, there is no gender discrimination, the referees are chosen based on competence not gender.
We want to say that as a committee that we categorically condemn the abuse that was directed at the match official. I am still to see the match commissioner’s report and if indeed there was abuse, we are going to take action against the players found guilty,” Malandule told an online sports publication.
It is a headache of varying intensity accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
Usually more common in females than males. Besides the headache, people may also experience pain in the face or neck, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling of being unwell, scalp tenderness, irritability and an aura (feelings one experiences which vary from chaotic distortions sometimes paraesthesia that happens before the headache).
Migraine headaches are also known to be associated with obesity and those with a family member who have a migraine headache. There is known cause but there are triggers that are known: chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, hangover, oral contraceptives (should be avoided in those suffering from migraines), travelling. Treatment can be divided into:
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said the concept of Independence has lost value and significance due to rampant abuse of human rights, corruption and plundering of State resources.
The Zanu PF regime has been terrorizing Zimbabweans from 1980 to the present day.The current Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is accused of using crocodile tactics to eliminate perceived political foes.
Below is VP Karenyi-Kore’s Independence message:
Zimbabwe’s 41st Year of Independence
A 41 year old person is generally expected to have: acquired a job, married, children, and started to seriously consider the adequacy of their pension pot.
So a person born in Zimbabwe in 1980 should be looking at these things.
To most Zimbabwean people of this age, let alone younger, this is a smack in their face, as most have never been in formal employment.
They might have married and have kids but means of looking after their families are limited to say the least. Pension is not even something that crosses their minds, as that is a concern for future survival whilst they are struggling to survive today.
Such people have only known two presidents in their lives. Some have used two currencies and some one, for the latter they never used one of their own.
Whether one is in this age group or not, all Zimbabweans have experienced violence of immense proportion. Those born before 1980 saw a lot of people being killed for the liberation of the country from Ian Smith’s colonial regime.
Those born in 1980 and after have seen violence being perpetrated by one Zimbabwean on another Zimbabwean. Tens of thousands of people were killed in Matebeleland (Gukurahundi), scores more were killed thereafter, the likes of Rashiwe Guzha, Tonderai Ndira and likely Itai Dzamara (as his fate is still unconfirmed).
The difference between the perpetrators of the violence is that the first one was different from the victims, whilst the second one is identical to his victims.
The other difference is that the first one, whilst he struggled with the victim’s skin colour he developed the country to an enviable state. Roads, houses, hospitals, office blocks, bridges and all required infrastructure were constructed. The second perpetrator inherited the same infrastructure and used it, and ended up over-using it without maintenance or constructing more infrastructure as the population increased.
Now the national infrastructure is on its knees.
There is also a difference of note. The first perpetrator used the resources within the country to develop the country. The second is looting the resources to economically destabilise and bankrupt the country, resulting in poverty of gigantic proportions.
Ian Smith created enough employment in the country so much that foreigners flocked into the country, particularly from Malawi.
Today the unemployment rate is above 90%, and scores of Zimbabweans are foreigners in neighbouring countries and beyond, seeking employment and survival as their beloved Zimbabwe has become inhabitable. There can’t be enough employment opportunities if all meaningful industries have either been shut down or significantly distabilised:NRZ, ZISCO, Willowvale, Bata, CAPS, Datlabs and Lever Brothers, just to mention a few.
With all these problems people are not free to highlight the government’s failures. Anyone who does is arbitrarily arrested if they are lucky because some have been killed in the last couple of years. The arrests are, however, strategic, with the intention of closing the democratic space. All dissent democratic voices are being locked up, even for issues which are constitutionally supposed to be settled by a fine, but in the majority of cases for issues which don’t even need police and/or judicial involvement: Last Maengahama, Madzokere, Makomborero, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe, Vongai Tome and Ngonidzashe Mupfumba. Scores of other MDC-A members, supporters and leaders have pending court cases on frivolous allegations. The government is hell bent to establish a one party state, democracy is bleeding.
Now the question is in which era would somebody rather be: the current Zimbabwe or Rhodesia? It is a shame that this question is worth asking in the first place. I have heard some saying Ian Smith was better because we had jobs, food, our own currency and stability. When a coloniser is preferred to one of your own then something is awfully wrong. Our politics has gone rogue.
It might be 41 years of independence but is there anything to celebrate for, is there anything to show for it?
Lynette Karenyi-Kore Vice President MDC Alliance 18 April 2021
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala was blocked from seeing arrested party activists at the weekend.
Hon Sikhala is a registered legal practitioner.
The MDC Alliance official described the Zanu PF system as dangerous.
“I have phoned the Min of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi who is responsible for prison services that the system they are creating is dangerous and will 1 day come back to bite them.
How would a registered legal practitioner like myself denied right to see clients,” fumed Hon Sikhala.
“I am at Harare Remand prison (at the weekend) bringing food to Legwani Mavhunga and Munyaradzi Mafararikwa who were badly tortured.
One prison officer, a Chibwe is saying tht he hs bn told by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Chikobvu not to allow myself to see them. This behavior is abhorrent,” added Hon Sikhala.
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo has recorded a sharp decrease in diarrhoea cases from 600 in 2020 to 175 in 2021 with city fathers attributing the decline to improved access to potable water following the easing of water-shedding.
This was revealed in the latest report of the Council’s health, housing and education committee.
The city has been battling diarrhoea since last year.
“Diarrhoea cases (175) decreased in the month of February 2021 compared to the same month the previous year (600). The decrease could be attributed to emergency response mechanisms (ERMs) and the rains, which improved access to potable water.
“Bulawayo was on high alert for typhoid as it was endemic in neighbouring cities,” the report read in part.
Last year, an environmental, management and engineering services committee report revealed that Bulawayo water was contaminated.
According to the report, quality tests done by the council at its Criterion, Ncema and Cowdray waterworks showed that potable water could have been contaminated through broken water pipes.
The leakages were blamed on ageing water reticulation infrastructure.
“This water shedding has generally had an impact on the quality of water; this is evidenced by an increase in the number of water complaints received within the city. The complaints are largely related to odour and presence of particles (turbid) in the water of which various factors have been attributed to these changes in water quality,” the report read in part.
“The factors include suspected ingress of sewage-contaminated water through leaking points into the potable water pipes and occasional depletion of water at service reservoirs and subsequent agitation of accumulated mud in the reservoirs leading to carry-over of the same to the distribution network”.-newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|Irate soccer fans have castigated referee Grace Gimo for ruining the Independence Cup Final between traditional rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Gimo, described as one of the best referees in the country, was problably overawed by the big match.
According to soccer analysts, Gimo was a ball of nerves throughout the match, making glaring blunders in the process.
However, ZIFA has defended Gimo’s performance.
Zifa referees committee chairman, Brighton Malandule said the criticism of Gimo was “unfortunate and bordering on gender stereotyping.”
” I know there are mixed reactions on her performance but Grace is one of the best referees in the country. At FIFA there are no female or no male referees, there is no gender discrimination, the referees are chosen based on competence not gender.
We want to say that as a committee that we categorically condemn the abuse that was directed at the match official. I am still to see the match commissioner’s report and if indeed there was abuse, we are going to take action against the players found guilty,” Malandule told an online sports publication.
But they go & buy helicopters at the stroke of a pen & tell us that they cannot equip hospitals due to sanctions. Zanu PF led government is a cult that’s so evil & until we work up to that fact we will all suffer unless you join the CULT.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said the concept of Independence has lost value and significance due to rampant abuse of human rights, corruption and plundering of State resources.
The Zanu PF regime has been terrorizing Zimbabweans from 1980 to the present day.The current Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is accused of using crocodile tactics to eliminate perceived political foes.
Below is VP Karenyi-Kore’s Independence message:
Zimbabwe’s 41st Year of Independence
A 41 year old person is generally expected to have: acquired a job, married, children, and started to seriously consider the adequacy of their pension pot.
So a person born in Zimbabwe in 1980 should be looking at these things.
To most Zimbabwean people of this age, let alone younger, this is a smack in their face, as most have never been in formal employment.
They might have married and have kids but means of looking after their families are limited to say the least. Pension is not even something that crosses their minds, as that is a concern for future survival whilst they are struggling to survive today.
Such people have only known two presidents in their lives. Some have used two currencies and some one, for the latter they never used one of their own.
Whether one is in this age group or not, all Zimbabweans have experienced violence of immense proportion. Those born before 1980 saw a lot of people being killed for the liberation of the country from Ian Smith’s colonial regime.
Those born in 1980 and after have seen violence being perpetrated by one Zimbabwean on another Zimbabwean. Tens of thousands of people were killed in Matebeleland (Gukurahundi), scores more were killed thereafter, the likes of Rashiwe Guzha, Tonderai Ndira and likely Itai Dzamara (as his fate is still unconfirmed).
The difference between the perpetrators of the violence is that the first one was different from the victims, whilst the second one is identical to his victims.
The other difference is that the first one, whilst he struggled with the victim’s skin colour he developed the country to an enviable state. Roads, houses, hospitals, office blocks, bridges and all required infrastructure were constructed. The second perpetrator inherited the same infrastructure and used it, and ended up over-using it without maintenance or constructing more infrastructure as the population increased.
Now the national infrastructure is on its knees.
There is also a difference of note. The first perpetrator used the resources within the country to develop the country. The second is looting the resources to economically destabilise and bankrupt the country, resulting in poverty of gigantic proportions.
Ian Smith created enough employment in the country so much that foreigners flocked into the country, particularly from Malawi.
Today the unemployment rate is above 90%, and scores of Zimbabweans are foreigners in neighbouring countries and beyond, seeking employment and survival as their beloved Zimbabwe has become inhabitable. There can’t be enough employment opportunities if all meaningful industries have either been shut down or significantly distabilised:NRZ, ZISCO, Willowvale, Bata, CAPS, Datlabs and Lever Brothers, just to mention a few.
With all these problems people are not free to highlight the government’s failures. Anyone who does is arbitrarily arrested if they are lucky because some have been killed in the last couple of years. The arrests are, however, strategic, with the intention of closing the democratic space. All dissent democratic voices are being locked up, even for issues which are constitutionally supposed to be settled by a fine, but in the majority of cases for issues which don’t even need police and/or judicial involvement: Last Maengahama, Madzokere, Makomborero, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe, Vongai Tome and Ngonidzashe Mupfumba. Scores of other MDC-A members, supporters and leaders have pending court cases on frivolous allegations. The government is hell bent to establish a one party state, democracy is bleeding.
Now the question is in which era would somebody rather be: the current Zimbabwe or Rhodesia? It is a shame that this question is worth asking in the first place. I have heard some saying Ian Smith was better because we had jobs, food, our own currency and stability. When a coloniser is preferred to one of your own then something is awfully wrong. Our politics has gone rogue.
It might be 41 years of independence but is there anything to celebrate for, is there anything to show for it?
Lynette Karenyi-Kore Vice President MDC Alliance 18 April 2021
By A Correspondent- Nurses have described the government as “very cruel” and its decision to scrap health workers’ non-claimable night-duty allowances as a “provocation”.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo on Monday said nurses would not tolerate the removal of the allowances. Said Dongo:
There is no way that we expect the government to remove what it had given to its workers. It’s tantamount to victimisation and provocation.
We feel that the government wants to provoke workers so that they take the matter into their own hands. It’s the trend globally that workers who work overtime are paid.
It shows that the employer is very cruel, instead of thanking their workers by giving them remuneration; they want to thank them by removing the peanuts which we were being given since 2018.
That is bad and we are not going to tolerate that.
Last year the government unilaterally scrapped its flexitime arrangement with nurses whereby they reported for duty on a certain number of days per week due to a shortage of personal protective equipment and poor remuneration.-Newsday
The City of Harare (CoH) says it has set aside land for informal sector traders at various strategic and nodal points across town so that they eventually move away from pavements, shop and office fronts.
Some of the sites under development will be provided with banking facilities, bus termini and anchor shops to attract traffic to the informal sector traders.
CoH said it has realised that the informal sector spaces cannot operate in isolation hence the bold and pragmatic decision to locate new vending spaces at busy places that have other business activities.
In a statement, Council also condemned the activities of space barons who are in the habit of renting space to traders and pocketing the proceeds. It said:
Council is aware of individuals abusing the system to set shop on undesignated spaces. The individuals are collecting money from desperate vendors and pocketing the ‘LOOT’ for personal use.
The law will soon catch up with such individuals. There is only one planning authority – which is Council.
Individuals cannot usurp the power of the council and do arbitrary space allocations.
Members of the informal sector are urged to verify the authenticity and lawfulness of any space allocations in the city. Doing so protects the informal sector and their investments.
The years’ long cry for decent trading spaces cannot be achieved when the informal sector is pumping money into the pockets of individuals who have no obligation to re-invest in the development of decent trading spaces.
Saying NO to corruption should be a collective responsibility by all stakeholders.
CoH added that is it one of the biggest beneficiaries of a properly functioning informal sector industry.
When the informal sector trades from designated sites – council collects revenue and reinvests that money in the development and maintenance of the infrastructure.
However, when the informal sector chooses to pay to third parties – that investment goes down the drain and council will not have resources to use to develop trading spaces, CoH said.
Recalled MDC Alliance Mufakose Member of Parliament, Susan Matsunga’s vehicle, a Land Cruiser Prado reportedly rammed into a precast wall before the driver sped off from the scene.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the corner of Mutufu and Mukumba road in Mufakose and a son to Matsunga’s sister is believed to have been behind the wheel.
According to H-Metro, the vehicle is now being used for Mushikashika (pirate taxi).
A man from the affected houses who spoke to the publication on condition of anonymity said:
I heard a loud disturbing sound around 4 am on Sunday morning. I quickly peeped through the window and saw the car trying to leave the scene without even assessing the damage. The car left before I alerted everyone else in our house.
When we got outside a few women on their way to Mbare Musika alerted us that they had recognised the vehicle since it had become popular for picking and dropping commuters.
We reported the incident to the police leading to the tracking of both the driver and the vehicle.
Matsunga is believed to have undertaken to pay the damages and was quick to accept blame on behalf of her sister’s son.
The former legislator acquired the Land Cruiser Prado after entering into a Vehicle Loan Facility Agreement with the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the vehicle was to be used during her tenure.
According to a confirmation from the national army of Chad read on national radio, the newly re-elected President Idriss Déby has died of wounds he received while commanding his army in battles against rebels in the north.
In a swift change of fate, after news had come in that Chad’s veteran president, Idriss Déby had won a sixth term in the latest provisional results in on Monday by 79.3%, an announcement broadcast on national radio today has announced his death.
According to the army spokesperson, Général Azem Bemrandoua Agouna, the military had been pushed back by a column of insurgents who were advancing on the capital, N’Djamena.
Déby, was expected to give a victory speech after receiving the provisional results, but opted instead to visit Chadian soldiers on the front lines, said his campaign director Mahamat Zen Bada.
According to one report, the soldiers were attacked by militants from the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) (Front for Change and Concord in Chad) who had arrived from their base in Libya and had entered Chadian soil on 11 April. Their stated goal was to rid the country of Déby’s 31 years of power.
According to a confirmation from the national army of Chad read on national radio, the newly re-elected President Idriss Déby has died of wounds he received while commanding his army in battles against rebels in the north.
In a swift change of fate, after news had come in that Chad’s veteran president, Idriss Déby had won a sixth term in the latest provisional results in on Monday by 79.3%, an announcement broadcast on national radio today has announced his death.
According to the army spokesperson, Général Azem Bemrandoua Agouna, the military had been pushed back by a column of insurgents who were advancing on the capital, N’Djamena.
Déby, was expected to give a victory speech after receiving the provisional results, but opted instead to visit Chadian soldiers on the front lines, said his campaign director Mahamat Zen Bada.
According to one report, the soldiers were attacked by militants from the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) (Front for Change and Concord in Chad) who had arrived from their base in Libya and had entered Chadian soil on 11 April. Their stated goal was to rid the country of Déby’s 31 years of power.
MDC-T activist Patson Murimoga is lobbying party members to demonstrate against their leader Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday this week to compel him to account for over $6 million which he allegedly stole from party coffers.
Murimoga, formerly Mwonzora’s close ally, told NewsDay that the demonstration would be held on Thursday at Parliament Building to petition the Senate to intervene on the matter.
He is accusing the MDC-T leader and Manicaland senator of conniving with the party’s finance director, Toddy Mapingire, to loot the money, which he allegedly used to buy foreign currency on the parallel market.
Last week, Murimoga lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and urged it to investigate why police had not yet arrested Mwonzora for the theft of the $6 million despite overwhelming evidence against him.
He said he had already notified the police about the demonstration, but was still awaiting clearance.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “I am not privy to issues happening in town, I am currently out of Harare.”
Murimoga said the MDC-T had always claimed it was anti-corruption and pro-democracy, hence the need to uphold those values.
“That is why on April 22, 2021, we are lobbying for party members to participate in the demonstration to demand our money back from Mwonzora. We demand the arrest of Mwonzora for money-laundering and theft,” he said.
“I have no personal grudges with Mwonzora. For a very long time, he was my closest ally. But I am a pro-democracy campaigner. Democracy has no sides. As the MDC-T party, we believe that we are a government-in-waiting. Therefore, if leadership fails to account for a paltry $6 million, what then of the other national treasures? How then can the party be entrusted with national governance when it is failing to manage its own internal accounting systems?”
Murimoga said the disappearance of the $6 million had left the party broke, adding that it was failing to settle its debts as well as pay its employees.
He said the party had not yet paid for the Zupco buses hired to ferry party members to an extraordinary congress held in December last year, which endorsed Mwonzora as the party president.
“Employees have gone for months without getting salaries. I, for instance, am a driver, but I have not yet gotten my salary for some months and that is the situation with the majority of the party employees,” Murimoga said.
He said Mwonzora demonstrated against Zanu PF over the disappearance of the US$15 billion diamond revenue, hence the need for him to be consistent on issues of accountability and transparency.
But Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said the demonstration “sponsored by losers” would be a flop.
“This is not the first time we have heard of these demonstrations on social media and we do not expect them to be the last,” he said.
“Mwonzora is not fazed at all about these nonsensical sideshows which are being sponsored by malcontents and extraordinary congress losers. The president is concentrating on rebuilding and rebranding the party. The ordinary congress will settle the leadership question once-and-for-all and flush anti-revolutionaries out of the cockpit.”
On the issue of party debts, Damba said Murimoga could not comment on party finances since he did not work in the accounts department.
More than 200,000 Zimbabweans have returned home over the past year due to the economic fallout from COVID-19 in countries where they had been working.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing nurses to help Zimbabwean officials conduct COVID-19 tests. Other services include critical risk communications and disease surveillance activities, infection prevention and control, protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Reintegration Assistance.
IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission Mario Lito Malanca noted the number of returns exceeded expectations, highlighting the massive socio-economic impact the virus has had across the regions requiring a refocus on long-term solutions.
“Without these measures, we will see many returnees falling deeper into crisis, resorting to negative coping mechanisms, and possibly being forced to migrate once again through irregular means,” he said.
More than 1.9 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Southern Africa since March 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and over 60,000 lives were lost. Worst hit were the three main destination countries for Zimbabwean migrant workers: South Africa, Malawi and Botswana.
An IOM survey of the returnees found that, in most cases, the decision to return was linked to the impacts of the pandemic, including financial challenges, hunger and loss of accommodation, lack of access to medical assistance, mental health support, identity document issues and the risk of assault in the country where they were working.
The survey also found that the returnees have professional skills ranging from construction to trading, agriculture, catering, painting, and domestic work.
The Zimbabwean Government’s guidelines require returnees to have valid COVID-19 certificates prior to entering the country. Without a valid test certificate, they are sent to provincial quarantine centres in Beitbridge, Plumtree and Chirundu to await testing.
With support from IOM and its Development Fund (IDF), the Government of Zimbabwe is engaging with its neighbours toward bilateral agreements to tackle the push factors of the returns, while setting up internal mechanisms of socio-economic reintegration through employment assistance projects.
On Thursday 22 April, IOM and the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa are organising a virtual webinar on Zimbabwe Diaspora engagement for development. The objective is to initiate a sustained dialogue between the Government of Zimbabwe and its Diaspora on development-related issues. Registration can be completed here.
IOM Zimbabwe’s recently launched USD 38.9 million Crisis Response Plan 2021 aims to strengthen COVID-19 preparedness and response capacities well into 2021 and to promote socio-economic reintegration through self-employment, community income projects and livelihood activities targeting 1.7 million people.
Zimbabweans have paid tribute to the late Dr Roland Russell Stephens, who was instrumental in developing Karanda Mission hospital in Mt Darwin into a health facility of repute.
Although he died thousands of kilometres away at his Springfield Ohio home in the United States of America, Dr Stephens, who was 91, left an indelible mark in Zimbabwe and Mount Darwin in particular.
Dr. Stephens first came to Karanda, then Gunderson-Horness Mission Hospital in 1962 and played an instrumental role in addressing the widespread health challenges in the remote area of Mt Darwin by establishing a centre of health care excellence where people now converge from the four corners of Zimbabwe.
“Firstly I want to express my condolences on the death of Dr. Stephens, I am one of the people who was helped by Dr Stephens in a great way.
“I went to Karanda when I was sick to an extent I was supposed to get an operation, but because of Dr. Stephen when I got to Karanda I was received well and got a lot of help. Because of him I didn’t even get an operation. I was treated and got healed so I feel a lot of pain,” a resident of Karanda said.
Another said, “At Karanda I met Dr. Stephens. He wanted to see my leg which was grinding and he didn’t shun or discriminate and I don’t think he ever mishandled anyone.
“He used to touch wounds and he didn’t even care about looking for gloves or anything. He was a good-hearted person and hearing about his demise, it’s a great loss. Yes, he was a white man, but he was kind.”
Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe Bishop, Benson Magojo worked with Dr. Stephens for about 10 years and had a first-hand experience of how he assisted the local community even when hospitals were closed down during the liberation struggle.
“Dr. Stephens had a heart for people, he didn’t discriminate and he had a heart for people. He didn’t look at the time when he got work so that when he was helping a person with healing or spiritually, he would help,” said Bishop Magojo.
He added, “Even during the liberation struggle he said as long as I’m not intimidated, I will continue to help people. He eventually had to close the hospital because of government regulations and Karanda was the last hospital to close.
“He was more than a missionary, you’d see godliness in him so when we heard of his death we were really disturbed. He died as a Christian and I want to think he is home with His Father and Our God. So, we appreciate him as a community. I appreciate him as a church. I appreciate that we a learnt a lot from him. For the community of Karanda, Dotitio area is really a loss. We will miss him greatly.”
Karanda Mission Hospital was established in 1961 to address the needs of mission stations in the Zambezi River Valley which were established as churches and then small dispensaries into clinics.
Dr Stephens’ death comes after President Mnagangwa commissioned a multi-million-dollar bridge linking various communities to Karanda Mission, validating the importance of the hospital in the country’s health care system.
What do you prioritize if not health??? Helicopters? Private jets? Houses in Borrowdale? Sad thing is, this happens everyday somewhere. People are being taken to delapidated hospitals kusina kana mvura.
Okay here us my story. Nezuro. close friend was pregnant.went into labour.mwana kwakufira mudumbu.kwakunzi https://t.co/aWMEI0Y5j1 realise she had lost a lot of blood.akunzi be transferred to Kwekwe from Gokwe gen.then she died a whole general hospital dd not have blood.
But they go & buy helicopters at the stroke of a pen & tell us that they cannot equip hospitals due to sanctions. Zanu PF led government is a cult that’s so evil & until we work up to that fact we will all suffer unless you join the CULT.
By A Correspondent- Seven unidentified men pounced on a Gweru family where they robbed and rapped two females yesterday.
A 51year old man was seated with her daughter aged (18 ) and her friend when the accused persons stormed into the house armed with knives catapults and iron bars.
The victims were ordered to lie down before two of the robbers took the victims to her bedroom and took turns to rape her while the other two took her friend and raped her as well.
Sources close to the investigations told Bulawayo 24 .com that the accused persons assaulted their father using iron bars before searching the house and took cellphones and US$400 and ZW$8000.
The matter is being investigated under Gweru Central RRB 4655372.
By A Correspondent- Midlands Provincial Minister, Larry Mavima has come under fire from women groups for allegedly openly boasting causing recent arrest of Gweru businesswoman, Dr Smeĺly Dube while threatening to take over all her business interests.
Mavima, who is also reportedly targeting to wrestle away Tebekwe Mine from the business woman is said to have invited the “recently fired” head Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu), Tabani Mpofu to the Midlands and ordered the arrest of Dube.
“He is boasting that he wants to deal with Dube and has interests in her mining ventures. He recently ordered the arrest of Dube and sought to have her chucked out of the hospital where she was admitted directing doctors to take her to Shurugwi female prison, he is a coward bully who is targeting women,” said one women who has benefited from Dube charity works.
Mavima once worked closely with Dube during the construction of the Zanu-PF Midlands conference center before they later fall out. He is said to be going around telling his compatriots that he will not leave office without sending Dube to jail.”
They said the two fell out after Dube sued Mavima over some comments he made in the press soon after he assumed office in 2019.
Dube was arrested by Sacu last month and remanded in a private hospital where she was receiving treatment. She is now out after being granted $100000 bail by High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi, who dressed down Sacu, the Ministry of Local Government and the police over her arrest.
She was charged of acquiring state land illegally
But Mavhima is said to have been pushing doctors to order the release of Dube from the hospital so that she can be held in remand prison in Shurugwi.
“He has been bullying Doctors and have threatened to blacklist the hospital which adimitted Dube when she was receiving treatment,” said another woman.
He has for long been hiding behind other names like Owen Ncube while he was pushing his agenda to invade Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi.
This was after he realized that his own mine in Shurugwi has not been productive.
Dube refused to respond to question saying the matter was before the courts.
“I don’t want to be dragged into your politics, and besides, the matter is before the courts,” Dube said.
By A Correspondent- A Buhera traditional healer (sangoma) has been arrested for providing shelter to a robber wanted in connection with a US$2,7 million heist.
The sangoma, Shadreck Tadira (58), his wife Margaret Mutaka (49) of Chief Nyashanu, and two accomplices Vongai Majoko (42) and Nyarai Murapa (43) yesterday appeared separately before Harare magistrates Judith Taruvinga and Dennis Mangosi.
The four were granted $5 000 bail each and the matter was remanded to May 5.
Allegations were that in January this year, police were on a manhunt for Patrick Matengambiri, who had committed a US$2,7 million robbery.
Detectives went to look for him at the accused persons’ residence, where he was hiding, only to discover that he had escaped.
The money had been hidden in the garden and in February this year, Matengambiri asked Mutaka to dig it out and give it to his wife, Ester Mutesvu, who gave the accused persons US$1 600 as a token of appreciation for giving her husband refuge.
It is alleged that Matengambiri, who is still at large, gave Murapa and Majoro US$65 000 which they used to buy him a house in Aspindale, Harare.
The duo also bought a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, which they registered in the name of Majoko.
They were arrested in Avondale, Harare, in a high-speed chase by the police.
Murapa and Majoro were represented by Tungamirai Chakurira.
Discord in the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa in Mashonaland East province has increased following the suspension of a top district official last week.
Maidei Mahomadi, Marondera district women’s wing chairperson, was suspended for allegedly disrespecting the wing’s national chairperson Muchirairwa Mugidho at a meeting held in rural Seke recently.
The suspension of Mahomadi has resulted in divisions within the MDC Alliance party with her sympathisers refusing to accept the verdict which led to her suspension.
According to a letter dated April 8 and signed by the party provincial chairwoman Epiphania Munhunepi, seen by NewsDay, Mahomadi is expected to appear before a disciplinary committee.
“I am writing to inform you about your actions during the Mashonaland East women’s assembly provincial council meeting held in Seke district where you and acting secretary Mrs Tagwireyi, pointed fingers and verbally abused the national chairlady and violated the party’s constitution and code of conduct.
“In particular, you committed the following (1) obstructing members or employees of the party from performing lawful functions, (2) conduct likely to provoke serious divisions or a breakdown of unity within the party,” read the letter.
Mahomadi has since been barred from attending MDC Alliance meetings.
“I am here exercising my powers in terms of the MDC Alliance constitution annexure C, articles 3, 4 and 5 suspending you from the position of chairlady pending disciplinary committee hearing in accordance with the constitution. Please note that during this period you will not be allowed to attend district meetings, this suspension is with immediate effect,” Munhunepi added.
Mahomadi said she was yet to get her suspension letter, adding that she only saw it on social media.
“I have not been suspended. I saw the letter on social media, but I am yet to get it. On Saturday, I even chaired a meeting. It shows that I am still in charge,” she said.
POLITICAL Actors Dialogue (Polad) member and opposition National Constitutional Assem-bly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku has been critical of constitutional amendments which seek to grant President Emmerson Mnangagwa powers to unilaterally appoint judges and chief justice, among others. a constitutional law expert, Madhuku (lM) last week spoke to NewsDay (ND) senior reporter Cliff Chiduku on Polad, recalls of MPs, the proposed Patriotic Bill and the state of affairs in opposition politics, among other issues.
Read on…
ND: You have been a Polad member since its inception. So many things were promised when it was launched. Looking back, what have you achieved?
LM: Polad’s biggest achievement is its mere existence as a platform where political leaders and parties from different backgrounds and persuasions are able to exchange ideas on how best to move the country forward. Political tolerance has already been born, it is now growing. Its irreversible fruits will be felt with time. To be sure, because of Polad, the political environment under which the 2023 general elections will be held will be the best since independence in 1980.
ND: Why has progress been limited in terms of reforms? Is it lack of leadership or political will?
LM: I think by limited progress, you are referring to the absence of immediate electoral and political reforms that we can point to as Polad outcomes. In that respect, I would agree that there is indeed limited progress. However, in the economic terrain, some Polad proposals have been implemented such as on currency reforms.
In the political and electoral arena, we have set a solid framework for dialogue. We have many proposals that are nearing fruition, particularly our setting the stage for changes to the Electoral Act ahead of 2023.
ND: The platform has been criticised in various forums for being a talkshow and praise choir for Mnangagwa’s administration. This criticism may be extreme, but what in your opinion could be done by Polad to improve its work and offset the negative perceptions in the public?
LM: That criticism is not only extreme, but is also totally without foundation. Polad has been lacking a vigorous communication and information desk. Polad has to improve its information dissemination approach. Once the public is given access to the intense debates in Polad, the perceptions will disappear.
ND: You have publicly criticised Constitutional Amendment No 2 Bill. What are the specific things that you want changed and how?
LM: My criticism against Constitutional Amendment Bill (No 2) is from two fronts. First, as NCA, we believe the whole current Constitution was not people-driven and that Zimbabweans were cheated by the inclusive government to vote “yes” in the 2013 referendum.
From that front, we see Constitutional Amendment Bill (No 2) as the continuation of the imposition of a Constitution on the people by ruling politicians. Secondly, I have spoken against the Bill on behalf of Polad. In Polad, we recommended that the Bill be withdrawn to give room to Polad and other stakeholders to finalise their discussions on electoral and political reforms.
Polad is of the view that some electoral and political reforms that may be agreed in future may require amendments to the Constitution. Accordingly, it makes sense not to rush the Bill now before finalising electoral and political reforms that may entail constitutional amendments. It is also worth noting that this Bill has been roundly criticised. For that reason, as part of the political culture we are striving to build, government must take a step back and listen. Unfortunately, it appears we are losing the battle as Zanu-PF is bent on passing Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No 2).
ND: At face value the proposed Patriotic Bill sounds noble. However, there are many fears among the public that the Bill can be used to shrink democratic space. What do you think the Bill should look like when it comes before Parliament?
LM: I respectfully disagree that there is any value in a Patriotic Bill. There is no room for a Patriotic Bill or Patriotic Act in this country. Such a law will never pass constitutional muster. It is unnecessary, undesirable and dangerous. It is dangerous in that no State can define patriotism. So such a law is a vehicle for oppression. It must not be allowed.
ND: Your views on 2018 elections are public. You decried competitive politics being reduced to a two-horse race — Zanu-PF or MDC Alliance and little in between. Do you still see Zimbabweans being mature to accept a third horse? Will you present yourself as a presidential candidate in 2023, offering that alternative voice?
LM: Our agenda as the NCA is to annihilate the two-party system and contribute to a truly multi-party political system. We are succeeding in that regard. Zimbabweans now appreciate the value of having more than the two political parties. The 2023 elections will show you the results.
The NCA will field a presidential candidate and candidates for parliamentary and local authority seats. I will be a presidential candidate as long as I am NCA president. Zimbabweans are getting out of political polarisation. The NCA is growing and will be a ruling party soon.
ND: Your stance on constitutional reforms is well entrenched in the annals of history. Do you for a moment regret the decision to oppose the (Godfrey) Chidyausiku draft in 2000 considering that the 2013-adopted document is not significantly different from the 2000 draft?
LM: The “no” vote of 2000 remains one of the best strategies we adopted as a movement. With that strategy, we demonstrated our commitment to a genuine democracy founded on people-driven processes. We rejected the very idea of imposing a Constitution on the people. What I regret is our failure to stop the 2013 Constitution. Until Zimbabweans get involved in a genuine constitution-making process, we will remain with a constitutional system that allows the government of the day to do what it likes.
ND: Prior to 2016, the formal launch of NCA as a political party you had close links to MDC and labour. However, it seems you have moved on and now hold different beliefs. What went wrong?
LM: I have not moved away from the philosophy of the working people’s convention of February 1999. The NCA is the only political party in the country that truly believes in social democracy that shaped the resolutions of February 1999.
The NCA is closer to labour than the other political parties that claim to champion the interests of the working people. By labour, I do not mean trade union leaders: labour refers to the working people. We are not together because my former colleagues have moved away from all our essential beliefs.
ND: Do you think opposition parties can find a common ground in 2023 and come up with a coalition than can dislodge Zanu-PF?
LM: There is no common ground. We have different ideologies. For example, on the Constitution, in the NCA we believe that the current Constitution is bad, that it was imposed on the people and that Zimbabweans must strive to make a new, democratic and people driven Constitution, yet the MDCs say the same Constitution is the best thing that the country possesses. So we are worlds apart. Why waste time on a nonexistent common ground?
ND: Do you think Zimbabwe should amend the Constitution and have, like in Germany, 50% of all National Assembly seats elected on proportional representation (PR) or the other extreme like South Africa all seats being contested on a PR basis?
LM: We must have a new Constitution that enshrines proportional representation. If Zimbabweans are given a genuine opportunity to debate electoral systems, I have no doubt that at the very least; they will opt for a mixed system with 50% of the seats allocated on the basis of PR. The PR system will ensure a true multi-party system and entrench gender justice in our politics.
ND: Last but not least, can we talk about recalls? Should the clause continue to be in our Constitution? Or it is a question of making political parties more democratic in the manner they exercise the recalls?
LM: Recalls at the instance of political parties must have no place in a democratic and people driven Constitution. Again if you give Zimbabweans a genuine opportunity to debate the recall clauses, they are likely to move to recalls by the electorate and not recalls by political parties.-newsday
By A Correspondent- The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has challenged the promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 89 of 2021, which among others restricts importation of second-hand cars that are more than 10 years old, saying it would make Zimbabwe uncompetitive in the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
SI 89 of 2021 which was recently gazetted, states that the importation of vehicles over 10 years old need an import licence, while exempting commercial vehicles such as tractors, haulage trucks, earth-moving equipment and other specialised vehicles used in mining and construction.
ACFTA allows for free movement of goods across Africa.
The SI also restricted the importation of sugar and cement in a bid to protect the local industry.
But CZR yesterday said the move could only have been noble if local industries had the capacity to manufacture at affordable prices.
In a statement, CZR president Denford Mutashu said most local players had enjoyed protection for years, but their products remained expensive compared to imports.
He said local car assemblers had been failing to assemble vehicles for low-income earners in the country, adding that Zimbabwe would struggle to compete under ACFTA.
“As Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR), we do not believe in protectionist measures that create monopolies and inefficiencies. We have travelled that road before and local companies disappointed despite getting the protection,” Mutashu said.
“We see the decree making life difficult for the hard-pressed citizens with low disposable incomes. It also removes consumer choice, which is critical when one wants to buy a product.”
On local cement manufacturers, he said their products were expensive at US$8 for a 50kg bag, compared to US$5 for imported cement.
CZR said government’s role was to provide a conducive environment for business to operate. It said local industries should review its cost structure such as hefty perks for executives.
“Local assemblers have to partner with banks so that there is financing on the purchasing of vehicles. Government has to be firm on the cost of utilities such as electricity and water for business to thrive,” CZR said.
“In the absence of the above measures, the ban will be another exercise in futility. It should be reversed as it is anti-competition.”-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Chinese firm, BEIFA Investment (Pvt) Limited has petitioned the ruling Zanu-PF party to rein in its shadow MP Reed Dube after he allegedly visited the disputed coal mine project in Dinde, Hwange, in a marked party vehicle and incited villagers to resist the company’s site mobilisation process.
The developments came a few days after the company reportedly started coal mining operations after disregarding objections raised by the community members who argued that the project would displace them.
In a letter dated April 15, addressed to Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairman Richard Moyo, project manager Zhou Zheng Qiao complained that Dube unlawfully disrupted their implementation of the coal exploration project in Dinde.
“The shadow MP introduced himself as Reeds Dube and he was in the company of Never Chuma, who introduced himself as the Zanu-PF Dinde chairman,” the Chinese miner wrote.
“They came driving the Zanu-PF Hwange Central constituency vehicle (Reg number: AEI 7737). He said he was sent by the Speaker of Parliament (Jacob Mudenda), who is also sending the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee to Dinde in the near future. The two Zanu-PF officials incited the community members to resist our site mobilisation.”
Zheng Qiao said Dube told the people to beat up the investors and burn their tents.
He said the project was of national importance as it proposed a 270 megawatt power plant which is one-third of Hwange’s installed capacity.
Yesterday, Moyo, who is also Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister, said the party’s provincial leadership and government had received the complaint and had asked the police to assist and stop the disturbances.
“We have intervened and engaged the police to assist the company. One Chuma has since been arrested and is in police custody as we speak because he tried to burn the company’s tents. The company is doing mining legally, and it was issued with a mining licence by the Ministry of Mines and they are investing,” Moyo said.
Dinde is home to thousands of Nambyas and Tongas resettled after their relocation from Sinamatela area in the 1920s to pave way for the Hwange National Park.-newsday
By A Correspondent- Police in Mutoko have arrested five suspected armed robbers who besieged the home of a top Zanu-PF official and renowned businessman, Zano Kahuni, and tortured him with a hot iron before robbing him of US$130 cash.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday confirmed the armed robbery, adding that the suspects had since been arrested.
“The suspects hired a vehicle from Chitungwiza and did not tell the driver of their mission. He only realised that he was being used in a robbery case and while seated in the car alone, he phoned police in Harare about what was going on,” Mwanza said.
“He tipped the police about the road he would use. Police in Harare mounted a roadblock at Shamva tollgate and arrested them while on the way back.”
It is alleged that on April 12 at around 7pm, the five suspects approached Kahuni’s employees and force-marched them to where their employer was having supper with his wife.
The suspects tied all the victims with a rope and demanded money. They were given US$130 and $90, but they demanded more saying they knew Kahuni had collected rentals from his shops. They took the businessman to his bedroom and burnt him with an electric iron.
They then took away a plasma TV, cellphones, blankets, groceries and 25 pairs of shoes before leaving the homestead.
“The vehicle was intercepted and all the property was recovered,” Mwanza said.
The suspects are Ravrage Chigagwe (34), Willot Kapikinyu (39), Godwin Mutahwani (25), Faro Maronda (43) and John Muremu (21).
Government was yesterday blasted for inheriting and maintaining colonial civic suppression tactics 41 years after independence.
This came out during a virtual meeting conducted by SIVIO Institute to discuss the state of affairs in the country 41 years after independence.
East and Southern Africa Amnesty International regional director Deprose Muchena said the present government had failed to uphold its pledge to transform the lives of citizens, and instead closed the little available democratic space in the country.
“The new nationalist leaders promised to dismantle the colonial State, that is its laws, policies and its institutional framework, including weaponisation of the law, racism and discrimination,” he said.
“The leaders also promised to offer a sense of belonging to the citizens. Government also promised to respect human rights. However, at 41, the human rights question is still one of the biggest questions that human right defenders are still dealing with.”
Law expert Alex Magaisa said: “There is a democratic deficit in post-independent Zimbabwe. There is still exclusion in politics precisely because the ruling party (Zanu PF) views itself as the State and it has caused many challenges for the nation to move forward. Zimbabwe is not the only country which was colonised. So many African countries have been colonised although in different circumstances but many have managed to move on from colonisation and develop forward.”
Legal expert Munyaradzi Gwisai said the Zimbabwean government made efforts to honour its independence promises during the first two years, but regressed thereafter.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T activist Patson Murimoga is lobbying party members to demonstrate against their leader Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday this week to compel him to account for over $6 million which he allegedly stole from party coffers.
Murimoga, formerly Mwonzora’s close ally, told NewsDay that the demonstration would be held on Thursday at Parliament Building to petition the Senate to intervene on the matter.
He is accusing the MDC-T leader and Manicaland senator of conniving with the party’s finance director, Toddy Mapingire, to loot the money, which he allegedly used to buy foreign currency on the parallel market.
Last week, Murimoga lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and urged it to investigate why police had not yet arrested Mwonzora for the theft of the $6 million despite overwhelming evidence against him.
He said he had already notified the police about the demonstration, but was still awaiting clearance.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “I am not privy to issues happening in town, I am currently out of Harare.”
Murimoga said the MDC-T had always claimed it was anti-corruption and pro-democracy, hence the need to uphold those values.
“That is why on April 22, 2021, we are lobbying for party members to participate in the demonstration to demand our money back from Mwonzora. We demand the arrest of Mwonzora for money-laundering and theft,” he said.
“I have no personal grudges with Mwonzora. For a very long time, he was my closest ally. But I am a pro-democracy campaigner. Democracy has no sides. As the MDC-T party, we believe that we are a government-in-waiting. Therefore, if leadership fails to account for a paltry $6 million, what then of the other national treasures? How then can the party be entrusted with national governance when it is failing to manage its own internal accounting systems?”
Murimoga said the disappearance of the $6 million had left the party broke, adding that it was failing to settle its debts as well as pay its employees.
He said the party had not yet paid for the Zupco buses hired to ferry party members to an extraordinary congress held in December last year, which endorsed Mwonzora as the party president.
“Employees have gone for months without getting salaries. I, for instance, am a driver, but I have not yet gotten my salary for some months and that is the situation with the majority of the party employees,” Murimoga said.
He said Mwonzora demonstrated against Zanu-PF over the disappearance of the US$15 billion diamond revenue, hence the need for him to be consistent on issues of accountability and transparency.
But Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said the demonstration “sponsored by losers” would be a flop.
“This is not the first time we have heard of these demonstrations on social media and we do not expect them to be the last,” he said.
“Mwonzora is not fazed at all about these nonsensical sideshows which are being sponsored by malcontents and extraordinary congress losers. The president is concentrating on rebuilding and rebranding the party. The ordinary congress will settle the leadership question once-and-forall and flush anti-revolutionaries out of the cockpit.”
On the issue of party debts, Damba said Murimoga could not comment on party finances since he did not work in the accounts department.-newsday
Mine workers who were exposed to harmful substances and ended up contracting Silicosis or Tuberculosis at South African gold mines are set to receive compensation ranging from R10 000 to R500 000.
This development comes after the High Court in Johannesburg approved the settlement in the Silicosis and Tuberculosis class action reached on 26 July 2019 and came into effect on 10 December 2019 after all conditions had been fulfilled.
Dependants of mineworkers who have since passed away, a wife, children or life partner, will receive the payments.
In a statement yesterday, the Tshiamo Trust which was established to carry out the terms of the settlement said all eligible miners should come forward with their details.
Eligible claimants who were gold mineworkers between March 12, 1965 and December 10, 2019 will be compensated.
“The Tshiamiso Trust has been established to carry out the terms of the settlement and to pay monetary compensation to eligible claimants. An eligible claimant will be entitled to receive a once-off payment of between R10 000 and R250 000, depending on the nature and seriousness of the disease and harm suffered by such claimant,” read the statement.
“In some severe cases, an eligible claimant may be able to receive a larger amount of up to R500 000.”
An eligible claimant according to Tshimiso Trust is a person who is a member of companies who meets the requirements of the trust to receive monetary compensation.
“All class members can and are invited to submit a claim to the Tshiamiso Trust for monetary compensation, except for class members who opted out of the settlement. Details of how to submit a claim are provided on the trust’s website.
The full terms of the Settlement Agreement as well as the Court’s decision approving the Settlement Agreement is available on the same website,” read the same statement.
It said the eligible are persons who undertook work that exposed them to silica dust and contracted Silicosis or Tuberculosis.
“Dependants for example the wife, child or life partner of such a gold mine worker who passed away may also apply for compensation.
Claimants who live in South Africa can call the Trust’s toll-free call centre number to make an appointment at their closest lodgement office in South Africa. Those who live outside of South Africa can call the Trust’s call back number to make an appointment at a lodgement office in their country,” it said.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) president Daniel Shumba said the establishment of an inter-ministerial team by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to take over and speed up service delivery in all opposition-run councils will not yield positive results.
Mnangagwa told state media over the weekend that his government had instituted an inter-ministerial task force headed by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to deal with service delivery in local authorities under the MDC Alliance’s control.
He accused the opposition councillors of failing to fulfil their mandate and engaging in egregious corruption.
But Shumba argued that dishonesty, propaganda and gangster tactics are part of Zanu PF’s DNA and the ruling party is focused on state capture in order to subjugate citizens.
Said Shumba:
The limitless obsession for dictatorial rule knows no bounds. Proper corporate governance systems would easily achieve the desired Councils outcomes.
Instead, July Moyo has long been at work to undermine constitutionalism and the rule of law. Ingredients of a failed State.
Indeed rampant corruption and mismanagement of Councils are evident, but the master of these evils is the Zanu PF regime (Pot accusing Kettle of being black).
Before the Hyena eats its children, it first accuses them of smelling like goats. Such is a sign of failed leadership.
The Zanu PF regime rates among the most corrupt and entitled regimes in the world. They are clueless, impetuous and impervious to reason.
Despite their delinquencies, they will use brute force and crude tactics to achieve their convoluted goals. We’re gone to the Dogs.
The regime can’t fix what they don’t understand. You need knowledge, corporate governance and value systems, trained human resources and budgetary support.
Without this, nothing about operation ‘restore legacy’ will restore anything. We demand renewal and vision. Not thuggery.
Zimbabwe’s future cannot be entrusted to the failed and clearly corrupt bidders. These Coup conspirators are obsessed with power and greed.
In the meantime, let’s stop Zanu PF madness and return Zimbabwe to constitutionalism and the rule of law. Let’s preserve our country.
Teachers’ representatives yesterday described government as a heartless employer and vowed that their members would not be coerced to teach, despite threats to withhold their benefits.
Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema on Monday told State media that government was invoking the no-work, no-pay principle for teachers who have not been reporting for duty since the beginning of this term.
Since last year, some teachers have not been reporting for duty, or were availing themselves at schools without conducting lessons in protest over poor wages.
“We are summoning the principle of no-work, no-salary with immediate effect. Teachers who do not report for duty or those who go to their schools and not do their work will not be paid. We have requested school heads to compile lists of such names and we will forward them to the Public Service Commission so that those not doing their work will not be paid,” Mathema said.
Mathema has also threatened punitive measures against educators who conduct private lessons.
But teachers’ unions said they were unfazed by government’s threats and would continue with their strike demanding salaries between US$520 and US$550 or the equivalent in local currency.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe described government as “a bully” which was not committed to collective bargaining processes.
“The government should not bully its employees. Threats and bullying should not be used as a bargaining tactic. Government should resort to dialogue with the concerned parties if it wants to save the education sector,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (Zinatu) chief executive officer Manuel Nyawo said although government could threaten them to report for duty, it was impossible to force teachers to conduct lessons.
“Our members are in a dilemma. On one hand, they have to decisively deal with the issue of incapacitation while on the other, they have to deal with the decision of a heartless employer. Given this position, government should bear in mind that one can force a donkey to the river, but cannot force it to drink water,” he said.
“The ministry can force us to report for duty, but they cannot force us to teach. As Zinatu, we will encourage our members to report for duty, but the ministry must be rest assured that no learning is going to take place until our demands are met.”
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said government’s bullying tactics was destroying the education sector.
“As the minister, Mathema should be focusing on profiling the incapacitation narrative of teachers to Treasury by lobbying for a salary raise,” he said.
“Unfortunately, he is determined to destroy the sector which he should be defending. Incapacitated teachers will never be coerced to attend for duty. Teachers are patiently waiting for the day they will be capacitated.”
Former Primary and Secondary Education minister David Coltart also blasted government for failing to resolve its salary stalemate with civil servants and for using threats instead of engaging them.
“If I was the Minister of Education today, I was not going to be issuing threats against them because teachers are suffering and they are not being paid a viable wage, that is the starting point. I suspect that the salary stalemate with teachers is one of the reasons why the June examinations were suspended because schools are not functioning,’’ Coltart said.
By A Correspondent- The family of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) leader Mqondisi Moyo said it is now living in fear of being abducted after suspected Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives were seen close to his home.
The MRP’s information department said the suspected CIOs had been questioning Moyo’s neighbours about his whereabouts. The party said in a statement:
On April 12 at 10:17 am, four men who introduced themselves as CIOs descended on the (MRP) president’s family home.
Upon being asked to identify themselves, they produced cards that identified them as Zimbabwe Republic Police members, instead.
They claimed they wanted to know where the MRP president was.
Moyo’s sister-in-law asked them to explain their interest in seeing Moyo but they did not want to respond to that question and later said they wanted to question him personally.
The MRP said Moyo is not running away from police but is only avoiding abduction by State security agents as abductions have become common since the 2017 military coup.
Last month MRP activists clashed with police at Tabas Induna Farm in Ntabazinduna over a land dispute.
Nine MRP members were arrested after they stormed the farm demanding the eviction of Floyd Ambrose who is believed to be former Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s son-in-law.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned its overzealous members against smashing vehicle windscreens and use of metal spikes in order to effect arrests on Mshikashika. The ZRP made it clear that such conduct by members of the Police is criminal and unacceptable.
In a memorandum seen by reporter which was addressed to all officers-in-charge of police stations in Mbare district. The officer commanding Mbare district said that he was concerned by reports that some police officers in the district are continuing to smash windscreens and to use spikes despite earlier directives ordering them to stop.
The Officer commanding police Mbare district made it clear that errant police officers who continue smashing windscreens and using spikes will face disciplinary action.
On the 4th of January 2021 Minister of home affairs Honorable Kazembe Kazembe while addressing the media on the state of affairs during the current Covid-19 lockdown period, described the incident as “disturbing”.
“My ministry strongly condemns acts of misconduct by police officers which tarnish the image of the government and the police in particular.
“The widely circulated social media clip of a police officer who allegedly struck a baby with a baton stick is a cause for concern.
“I have directed the Commissioner General of Police to take stern action against these and any other errant police officers,” he said.
Kazembe said the smashing of vehicle windscreens or windows by police officers contradicted expected government norms.
“The Commissioner General of Police has assured me that this message will be cascaded to all Police Commanders for the conscientisation of their members,” he said.
The minister went on to warn bars, restaurants and retail shop owners who continue to operate in direct violation of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
He also urged locals not to abuse the privilege to convene for funerals by respecting the maximum number of attendants which is currently set at 30.
“Police officers will move around all suburbs, shopping centres and even check houses to account for transgressions against Covid-19 regulations and other criminal activities.
“Organisers of such events will face the wrath of the law and risk losing their licences,” he said.
By James Gwati-MDC-Alliance Leader, Nelson Chamisa has rubbished President Emmerson Mnangagwa Independence day celebrations address statement where he said the opposition was persuading the west to isolate Zimbabwe.
Chamisa said Mnangagwa was instead admitting that the opposition had the capacity to run the country better than his administration.
“Who are his friends? He is busy allocating friends to us, so who are his friends? Why is he giving us all the nations in the world? I want to thank him for elevating, honouring and acknowledging our capacity to build bridges and have warm relations with other nations,’ said Chamisa.
“Our focus is to resolve our issues as Zimbabweans through convergence and building a new consensus to give meaning to our independence and sacrifices of our heroes and heroines who perished for a cause so great.
“Let us build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.”
As Zimbabwe celebrates 41 years of independence from British colonial rule on April 18, many Zimbabweans look back and question were everything went wrong. The once promising and flourishing Southern African country used to be the marvel of the continent; rich in natural resources and having the highest literacy in the continent, Zimbabwe had a promising future.
Zimbabwe, once the bread basket of Southern Africa, with a stable currency and stable economy has now been reduced to begging for food aid. Citizens had high hopes for the country and politicians made promises to the citizens, but 4 decades of ZANU PF rule has seen all these dreams shuttered.
All the promises made on attainment of independence were just but empty promises. Dreams and hopes have been shuttered in the past 41 years.
The economy has withered under the ZANU PF governance; unemployment is at an all time high in the country. Cases of political violence, human rights violations have been making headlines across the globe.
” Zimbabwe at 41 saluting our struggle veterans for the sacrifice.Independence was a product of citizens’ convergence for a liberation promise.Lets make the promise a reality. A great Zimbabwe is loading.The fight for freedom is continuous’ ” said President of MDC-A advocate Nelson Chamisa on his Twitter page.
Chamisa congratulated Zimbabwe on turning 41 but still wanted to see Zimbabweans enjoy true independence.
ZANU PF leaders have been accused of stealing elections even long way before Emmerson Mnangagwa came into office.
“Is this 41 years of Independence or 41 years of ZANU PF Oppression?”said Sandra Bvungidzire, a social media activist.
41 years of agony and suffering for Zimbabweans as nothing has improved. Basic service delivery has shrivelled. Hospitals are ill-equipped, doctors are always on strike and there is no running water even in the capital, Harare.
“Our country is in the hands of the cruel. This must end! Together we must fix our broken politics, ” said Chamisa.
The MDC-A passed these sentiments in response to the torture which Legwani Mavhunga experienced under police custody earlier in April. The youthful leader had been arrested during a solidarity gathering at the court for Job Sikhala and was tortured under police custody.
“Whatever my sentiments towards the present government, Independence Day remains important. I love this country. I look forward to the day when we can look on the nation we’ve built with pride. Let’s fight for a united, prosperous and free Zimbabwe, ” said MDC Alliance Spokesperson Fadzai Mahere on her Twitter page.
Road networks have been dilapidated, ZANU PF has seen the country crumple to its knees in the last 41 years.
“There is not much to celebrate during this independence holiday, our brothers and sisters are being arrested, service delivery is at its worst in the country, the government is not doing anything to improve the lives of the citizens, all they do is take from the poor and feed their bellies,” said Sandra.
Celebrating Independence Day in a country were there are extreme cases of human rights violations and political unrest is very ironic. True independence and democracy is were citizens can express themselves freely; without fear.
Reports of young men and women being arrested or tortured has become a daily norm in Zimbabwe. Anyone who rises to express discontent with the current government is silenced through imprisonment, torture or abduction.
Imprisonment is being used as a tool to break the spirits of alternative, progressive voices in the country. Activists like Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri are being denied bail, this is the regimes way of trying to silence the masses.
The government is doing all this as a way to silence and avoid uprisings from the suffering citizens.
“They chain us torture us all in the hope of silencing us,” said Obert Masaraure
Electoral Resource Centre Africa had nothing positive to say about the state of affairs and the electoral system in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe continues to confer this right to citizens ensuring that elections are religiously held as and when they are due. However, the role of elections in Zimbabwe has since deflated as electoral malpractices and grievances characterize the electoral environment,” wrote Electoral Resource Centre Africa on their Twitter page.
Celebrating Independence Day in Zimbabwe is more or less celebrating the death of democracy in the country and the emergence of a new oppressor, in the form of ZANU PF.
By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pleaded with the United Kingdom and US for the inclusion of the isolated Zimbabwe in the international community.
Mnangagwa made the appeal during his Independence day celebrations address.
“We are friendly to all, except those who may not accept us, but still we say to them there is no need for such hostility or imposition of sanctions. We would want to be friends to all.”
“Of course, we still have countries like the United Kingdom and the United States who still continue to insist on the imposition of these sanctions,” he said.
“But of course they have their surrogates in Zimbabwe who are persuading them to continue to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe for reasons best known to themselves, who want the people of Zimbabwe to suffer, perhaps to ride on the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe for them to come to office. But we shall continue to pursue the policy that we would want to be a friend of everybody and enemy of none.
By A Correspondent- Advocate Sylvester Hashiti is in soup after his wife Emma made a formal police report of alleged severe domestic assault.
On April 9, Adv Hashiti, allegedly beat up his wife who had stumbled upon his conversation on a social media platform with a lady only identified as Maureen.
Sources said when Emma confronted her husband, he allegedly lost his temper and assaulted her with fists, choked her and pulled her hair, according to a police report. Emma then fled the house and went to report the alleged assault at Borrowdale Police Station.
The state media claims that the following morning, Adv Hashiti allegedly went to the police station with president Nelson Chamisa to try and have the report withdrawn.
Reported the statemedia:
Chamisa would not have been accompanying his colleague as a formal legal advisor or representative since advocates do not deal directly with clients at first instance, being called in by an attorney or general legal practitioner to give specialist advice on a point of law or to take the lead in court proceedings.
Emma is now refusing to follow up her initial report to the police, although the police are continuing with a criminal investigation, which does not require the co-operation or consent of the person who made the initial complaint.
A person who feels they have been wronged can only withdraw civil proceedings. Criminal proceedings are a matter for the police to investigate and the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whether there is a case to bring to court.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that after the wife’s report was made, “when the police reacted he locked himself inside his house. He then went to the police in the company of Chamisa the following day early in the morning saying the case involved top people and therefore it was unnecessary to report it.
“However, he was told at the police station that domestic violence cases are taken to the courts. The wife was advised to bring a medical report, but she never came back. “The docket is now at the courts for consideration, but the wife has become hostile and is no longer cooperating with the police,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Neither Chamisa nor Hashiti was picking up their phones yesterday.
According to a close relative, who preferred to remain anonymous, the marriage between Mr Hashiti and his wife has been on the rocks for some time with the couple no longer sharing the same bedroom.
By A Correspondent- A bayonet fixed on a rifle was used to cut the wedding cake that was adorned with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces badge and the national flag. The wedding came as an early Independence Day celebration for the Nkomo and Ncube families on Saturday.
A soldier, Artwell Nkomo (27) the first son of the late Mr Nephat Nkomo and the late Mrs Sibusiso Ncube of Matshetsheni Village in Gwanda and his sweetheart Ntombizile Ncube (24) the first daughter of the late Mr Patrick Ncube and Mrs Helen Sibanda of Mleja Village, Filabusi tied the note in style at White Rose Gardens in Luveve Four suburb with full military honour.
Private Artwell Nkomo and his bride cut a cake under an arch of rifles. It was a military wedding and the bride and the groom’s vehicles were escorted from Cowdray Park suburb where the couple lives, to the venue in Luveve by 13 soldiers as well as 14 civilians.
The procession ended up inviting uninvited guests as soldiers marched, showcasing their military way of conducting weddings.
The military band which provided music and entertainment did not disappoint. The best man was from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Shingai Zishiri. The cake cutting, exchanging of vows and the signing ceremony were all conducted under an arc of rifles.
To welcome the newly wedded wife was corporal Chipanje who was the Guard commander. She was eloquent when she outlined all the duties of a soldier. Private Nkomo and his wife cut a cake using bayonet.
“We welcome you Makoti to the military family. This man you just got married to is a soldier. Soldiers are responsible for safeguarding the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Zimbabwe among other duties. At one point he may be called in the middle of the night for assignments. What we assure you is he will come back at the end of the assignment,” she said.
Captain Shakespeare Tele said one needs to have served the army for more than three years to be considered for a military wedding. The guest of honour lieutenant Colonel Jabulani Mkonto congratulated the newly weds.
Private Nkomo feeds his wife a cake He said soldiers are human beings drawn from society and in most cases have emerged to be the best fathers and husbands to their families due to what they are taught to do by responsible departments at work.
The newly wedded Mrs Nkomo shed tears of joy as she explained how happy she was to be joined in holy matrimony.
“I’m so thankful for the army and my husband for this honour. To me, these are rare moments,” she said.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- At least 160 schoolchildren at Mtshina Primary School in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province have no birth certificates and need assistance to acquire the national document, it has emerged.
Tsoro-o-otso San Development Trust director Davy Ndlovu told Southern Eye that his organisation, which stands for the rights of the San community, was now working on ensuring that the affected children acquire the documents.
OVER 160 schoolchildren at Mtshina Primary School in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province have no birth certificates and need assistance to acquire the national document, it has emerged.
Tsoro-o-otso San Development Trust director Davy Ndlovu told Southern Eye that his organisation, which stands for the rights of the San community, was now working on ensuring that the affected children acquire the documents.
A TSHOLOTSHO man is battling for life in hospital with a deep cut on the back of the head after a neighbour allegedly pummeled him with a golf stick in a fight.
The complainant Mr Intelligence Sibanda of Shakiwa Line in Sipepa confronted Mayenziwe Sibanda who is on the run, questioning him why he once slapped him and the two started fighting.
Mayenziwe of the same area allegedly picked up a golf stick and hit Mr Sibanda repeatedly all over the body resulting in the complainant fainting.
Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Namatirai Mashona confirmed the incident.
She said the suspect faces attempted murder charges.
She urged members of the public not to resort to violence under any circumstances.
“I can confirm that we received a case or attempted murder which occurred in Sipepa where a man was assaulted with a golf stick all over the body and fell unconscious during a fight. We are appealing to members of the public to solve their differences amicably and desist from using violence,” she said.
Assist Inspector Mashona said the attack took place at Mcetshwa business centre on Wednesday last week.
Mr Sibanda who is still admitted to Tsholotsho District Hospital was in the company of his neighbour Mr Nkosiyazi Ncube (37) of Mcetshwa line under Chief Mathupula when the fight took place.
He approached the suspect asking him why he once slapped him and the latter became angry hence the two started fighting.
The assailant allegedly hit Mr Sibanda with a golf stick all over the body resulting in him falling down unconscious with a deep cut on the back of the head.
The suspect fled from the scene leaving his victim unconscious.
Mr Bongani Sibanda, who is brother to the complainant heard that his brother had been attacked and reported the matter to the police who attended the scene and rushed the victim to Sipepa Clinic.-Chronicle
A TSHOLOTSHO man is battling for life in hospital with a deep cut on the back of the head after a neighbour allegedly pummeled him with a golf stick in a fight.
The complainant Mr Intelligence Sibanda of Shakiwa Line in Sipepa confronted Mayenziwe Sibanda who is on the run, questioning him why he once slapped him and the two started fighting.
Mayenziwe of the same area allegedly picked up a golf stick and hit Mr Sibanda repeatedly all over the body resulting in the complainant fainting.
Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Namatirai Mashona confirmed the incident.
She said the suspect faces attempted murder charges.
She urged members of the public not to resort to violence under any circumstances.
“I can confirm that we received a case or attempted murder which occurred in Sipepa where a man was assaulted with a golf stick all over the body and fell unconscious during a fight. We are appealing to members of the public to solve their differences amicably and desist from using violence,” she said.
Assist Inspector Mashona said the attack took place at Mcetshwa business centre on Wednesday last week.
Mr Sibanda who is still admitted to Tsholotsho District Hospital was in the company of his neighbour Mr Nkosiyazi Ncube (37) of Mcetshwa line under Chief Mathupula when the fight took place.
He approached the suspect asking him why he once slapped him and the latter became angry hence the two started fighting.
The assailant allegedly hit Mr Sibanda with a golf stick all over the body resulting in him falling down unconscious with a deep cut on the back of the head.
The suspect fled from the scene leaving his victim unconscious.
Mr Bongani Sibanda, who is brother to the complainant heard that his brother had been attacked and reported the matter to the police who attended the scene and rushed the victim to Sipepa Clinic.-Chronicle
JOSE MOURINHO was axed as Tottenham boss after a players’ revolt.
The Special One’s 17-month reign in charge at Spurs came to an end when he was sacked this morning — just six days before they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
But while it was Daniel Levy who did the firing, it was the club’s playing stars who supplied the bullets after several of them went to see their chairman to complain about the Special One’s tactics and methods, which had raised an increasing number of eyebrows in their dressing room in recent weeks.
Senior squad members had bitten their lips after becoming accustomed to the way Mourinho treated and ignored those not in his plans with absolute contempt.
But they could stay silent no longer when he tried to throw them under the bus and blame them for Tottenham’s failure to win the Europa League and close in on a top-four finish.
And when first-team regulars who had previously been “Mourinho loyalists” started to voice their concerns, Levy simply had to act.
There were too many unhappy faces on the training ground which Levy patrols daily.
They are believed to have included skipper Hugo Lloris and striker Harry Kane.
Both of whom had been staunchly behind Mourinho, but even the France and England captains are believed to have become concerned by Mourinho’s actions.
After the 58-year-old’s exit was confirmed, Kane tweeted: “Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
Under previous boss Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham’s training Enfield HQ had become a place where all members of staff, including execs, cleaners and multi-million pound football celebrities greeted each other with a handshake and a “Good morning.”
Now it was threatening to become an environment where players and colleagues could not even look each other in the eyes. — BBC Sport
MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has refuted claims that he is a problem child in Zimbabwe’s body politic, saying he is young but not a baby.
Chamisa was responding to Mnangagwa’s Independence eve interview broadcast by the State media on Saturday, where the latter urged opposition political leaders to cut their ties with the United States for him to recognise them as proper Zimbabweans.
Chamisa asserted that he has always been open to dialogue with Mnangagwa but not under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD). Said Chamisa:
Let us build bridges in Zimbabwe and my message to ED is, stop burning bridges, stop being destructive, stop dividing the country, stop hate language and hatred. Don’t be vindictive, don’t be a victim of ageism. We are young but not babies.
… We have always invited him to smoke the peace pipe, but he is carrying a machete and sjamboks and that is the problem. He thinks every problem is a nail that needs a hammer. Violence has no winner and one thing about violence is that no one has a monopoly (over it).
He mistakes us as an opposition. We are not an opposition, but an alternative. That lady (Thokozani Khupe) and that guy (Douglas Mwonzora) he created are his ‘opposition’.
He says there must be a loyal opposition, loyal to who? We are loyal and patriotic to Zimbabwe and its people.
In his pre-recorded interview, Mnangagwa dismissed Chamisa and his deputy Tendai Biti as surrogates of the West, accusing them of inviting sanctions on Zimbabwe.- NewsDay
MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa’s statement on Independence Day:
ZIMBABWE @ 41 THE CONVERGENCE CALL- Reimagining the promise of independence.
Sunday 18 April 2021, Harare
Fellow Zimbabweans,
Today, the 18th of April, we commemorate 41 years of Independence an important national day in the history of our country.
The importance of independence cannot be understated,it speaks to our being, identity, nationhood and patriotism.
Our independence was hard won and fought for by every man, woman and child in this country. Independence was a product of citizens’ convergence around the the liberation idea and promise- the liberation consensus.
The occasion of Zimbabwe’s independence is a moment of great pride and triumph for us as a people who were once subjugated and held hostage by the cleavages of a system of oppression.
I join you to pay tribute to all our iconic heroes and heroines who sacrificed for independence of our country from subjugation colonial rule; The struggle’s seminal role in our history cannot be erased. It is part of our national heritage and national treasure as we honour the gallant sons and daughters, men and women who died for a great cause.
Our debt of gratitude and unconditional appreciation goes to those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Our beloved beautiful Zimbabwe.
We give a special recognition to the liberation Heroes, war Veterans, military and security services personnel, our retired veterans and all of you, the brave and patriotic people of Zimbabwe, for sacrificing everything for the attainment of our independence.
The war was waged by the majority to dismantle colonial injustices and the cause for restoration of dignity, universal suffrage (one-person one-vote), land ownership and economic independence and prosperity of great country. Thousands perished for this great and noble cause.
The war was waged for the establishment of just and fair society where all citizens are treated the same regardless of their gender,race, ethnicity or political affiliation affording them equal opportunity to prosper and pursue happiness.
The liberation effort was in pursuit and quest to establish a Transformational Democratic Developmental State, which places people at the centre of all developmental programs.
That Promise of independence remains unfulfilled – the idea of independence was and is a pact and a contract between Zimbabwe and its citizens. The liberation promise, the freedom promise, the peace promise, the prosperity promise and the transformation promise remain elusive for the greater number. This promise remains unfulfilled leading to many people, young and old, the majority even questioning its worth.
The 41 year old journey thus far has proved that more still needs to be done to ensure that the People of Great Zimbabwe enjoy the fruits of the freedom that was as a result of the selfless sacrifice by the combatants and the bravery of the masses who together complemented one another to ensure victory of liberation war effort.
Four decades later, we are confronted with another threat to that Independence in the form of a minority system based on brutality, marginalisation and discrimination, impunity and persecution using the Rhodesian manual or template of repression.
After 41 years, we have not matured into a multi-party democracy that celebrates diversity of opinion and respects Constitutionalism. We have had one continuous Republic of violence, dictatorship and repression.
The future of the Republic and it’s progressive development is under threat and cannot be guaranteed if we don’t change course.
It is vital to note that the spirit of independence did not end in 1980. It is an ongoing spirit, a never ending indomitable spirit, one that has spurred fighters for democracy to ensure that the promises of 1980 are fulfilled. The spirit of independence must inspire present generations to keep on fighting and not to despair. Young people stood up against the colonial regime when it seemed impossible. The fight against repression is never impossible.
Fellow citizens,the contradictions arresting Zimbabwe today are a result of the hijacking of the agenda of the liberation struggle and a clear disrespect of those who sacrificed to secure the independence we are talking about today.
It cannot be acceptable to have the levels of poverty in our society today,the people of Zimbabwe are subjected to unpalatable suffering living from hand to mouth.
There is need for economic emancipation; which includes opening up resources to ensure inclusive participation especially by the young.
The need to end international isolation. The country has suffered long periods of isolation since 1965 and this has largely been self-inflicted. A return to democracy, protection of human rights and fairness are critical in the path towards inclusion in the community of nations
Our independence was a product of African solidarity and international support. We salute African countries for their help to the liberation effort. We salute Zambia and other frontline states such as Tanzania for liberation assistance.
Mozambique in particular played a critical role in the liberation of Zimbabwe.
In this regard, may we deploy our solidarity to the great people of Mozambique as they go through a difficult period in their country. An unstable Mozambique is an unstable SADC and indeed an unstable Africa. A threat to one is threat to all. A lasting solution must be found in Mozambique so that there is peace and security in the region.
We call for the complete realization and preservation of an independent Africa as the continent’s new agenda to realize the aspirations of an independent African continent. An African continent that is free from oppression, an African continent that is driven by ideas and an African continent
Today is our National birthday. We have just turned 41. We take stock of our journey of growth since a euphoric birth in 1980.Much has been accomplished but more needs to be done.
At 41, we have missed opportunities, neglected advantages and wasted moments. We have neglected the obvious quick wins and low hanging fruits.
At 41, there is so much unhappiness, anxiety and despair undeserved of citizens of such a great and rich country.
At 41, the plight of our esteemed veterans is a source of disappointment. We don’t have adequate support and welfare benefits for our war veterans. Many still carry wounds and injuries from the wars. Many are living In abject poverty and under squalid conditions.
At 41, we have not addressed the national question and a shared national vision for our country.
At 41, we still have one television station for the whole country with some parts of the country without radio, internet or network coverage. Having to rely on networks from neighboring countries.
At 41, the heavy handedness of the state against dissenting voices is something that needs to be resolved to nourish the democratic space.Many have trumped up charges against them. Some are in prison for seeking to exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms.
At 41, the existence of political prisoners of conscience and individuals in this country, who are accused of political crimes of demanding more rights and freedoms, is a clear reminder that our independence has been emptied of its meaning and in fact become a new place of oppression and lack of independence for the ordinary citizens of this country.
At 41, the continued assault on the opposition MDC Alliance as a party that represents multiparty democracy is also evidence that on our country is on a dangerous path to entrenchment of a party state.
As we speak Last Tamai Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere have been in prison for years for a crime they did not commit,on top of 2 years of pretrial detention.
Makomborero Haruzivishe is serving 14 months in prison for seating down and whistling.
A Member of Parliament, Hon Joanna Mamombe and youth leader, Cecilia Chimbori are in prison for holding a press conference on top of the unspeakable ordeal they went through last year.
At 41, political tolerance is still a missing link. Draconian laws and Bills are sailing through parliament. We scheme against each other instead of planning together for Great Zimbabwe.
At 41, we are a divided country where those in politics are purveyors of violence and merchants of polarisation propagating hate and spewing vitriol as core business.
At 41, we have rulers who invest in criminalizing citizens’ through several pieces of draconian law such as the mooted Patriotic Act,the Cyber law and the shameless amendments and bastardization of the national Constitution.
At 41, Zimbabwe finds itself introducing youth brainwashing disguised as national service, indicating a reversal of the gains of independence.
At 41, the continued regression and the redrawing of the country’s constitution so that it resembles the Lancaster house agreement is an indication that the independence was not about progressing this country for Zimbabweans but taking it back, as close as possible to colonial times.
At 41, we are back to the old colonial days of heart tax,dog tax and land tax.
At 41, we have a political elite who lack the conscience and care for citizens, having abandoned the responsibility to account, lead and serve.
At 41, we have is a direct replacement of a dominant and oppressive settler minority with a dominant and oppressive elite minority.
At 41, we have rigged, disputed elections and disputed government. Comprehensive structural political and electoral reforms that are yet be implemented to create a level playing field.
At 41, the world bank estimates the number of extremely poor people is around 7,9 million as of December 2020 — almost half the population. Poverty in Zimbabwe has increased by 21% in the last decade. It is now at its highest level in recorded history. Extreme poverty is now 40% of the population.
At 41, we have the second highest level of inflation in the entire world, with currency uncertainty and volatility.
At 41, we have erosion of people’s value in banks including the loss of value in people’s salaries and pensions.
At 41, we have a country drowning in debt due to the irresponsibility of an elite which is unable to live within it’s means.
At 41, workers are without a decent wage. Our teachers, nurses and civil servants are without decent salaries and that merited dignity.
At 41, Corruption has derailed the independence dream, eroding all the gains of the liberation dream. Corruption is killing us.
At 41, Our beautiful Zimbabwe is without solid infrastructure. Our roads, bridges water and communication infrastructure are in a sorry state.
At 41, thousands of graduates from universities struggle to get jobs with the in- dependent unemployment rate estimated to be above 90%. The economy is highly informal.
At 41, Zimbabwe has produced an entire generation of brilliant young people unable to derive value from the dignity of hard work,from academic brilliance to art and sporting excellence,none can reward the youths.
At 41, we witness an exponential spike in social vices such as drug abuse and violent crimes.
At 41, we run the risk is being breeding ground for radicalization in the context of rising extremism,lessons should be learnt from the situation in Mozambique. The only sure way to cultivate Patriotism,our only pathway to cultivate importance of 41 years of independence of in the hearts of young people.
At 41, dereliction of duty has failed an entire generation, failure to establish a growing economy which is inclusive and able to create decent jobs for our youths.This is the only way to create a buffer against radicalization of young people,it is the only way to ensure a sense of belonging for the young people.
At 41, the majority of our talented and skilled citizens are in the diaspora seeking greener pastures and greater opportunities.
At 41, we have an abandoned social agenda with a collapsed public health delivery system where all 7 babies born at a public days die in a day.A disgruntled public service and chaotic education sector.
At 41, Education and health remain a preserve of a privileged few. Many parents can not afford school fees, medical fees and food for their families.
At 41, our senior citizens and pensioners are without safety needs and cushioning.
At 41, many are still without title to land.
At 41, we have forced evictions of Zimbabweans by a captured elite representing interests of exploitative capitalism and connected persons.
The resolution of the land question in a manner beneficial to all of Zimbabwe’s citizens is a national priority.
Our message to all Zimbabweans in rural areas, farming areas and broader Zimbabwe is that under our leadership you will have title and ownership of their land. Under rural modernization there will be title and value to the land. The land belongs to you the pple. It is a right and it will be protected.
Land ownership and title deeds for the rural and farming communities must be guaranteed. Devolution and empowerment of communities is a crucial issue in the context of a spate of unjust evictions in Chilonga,Hwange,Chiadzwa,Chisumbanje to mention but a few
But all these challenges will come to pass.
Our answer lies in us all answering to the CONVERGENCE CALL. The call for a new national consensus that entails the convergence of all citizens for real change and national transformation.
Today is a day for introspection. Zimbabwe must unite, converge and rediscover itself.
It is time to converge and shed off undesirable retrogressive bad habits and broken politics.
A time to converge and refocus and build Zimbabwe GREAT.
A time to converge and seek an inclusive solution to our national challenges, based on a genuine acceptance of mistakes of the past and apology.
A time to converge and give true meaning to independence and the sanctity of a vote.
A time to converge and allow our best to be unleashed as we all work towards rapid transformation, quick economy recovery and prosperity.
A time to converge and restore the political rights and civil liberties which the liberation generation sacrificed for.
A time to Converge and assert the people’s victory.
A time converge and reposition Zimbabwe to its rightful place among the family of Nations.
A time to converge and embrace Truth and Reconciliation for national healing.
A time converge and break from the dark past characterized by Gukurahundi,marginalisation,exclusion,violence and corruption. A time for transparency and accountability.
It is time for restoration of the Great Zimbabwe to it’s Jewel Status.
This Independence Day is a moment to reimagine the liberation promise through citizens convergence for change.
Now is the time to have a citizens convergence for change to give true meaning to independence and patriotism.
A Great Zimbabwe is Coming.Together we can!
Building a Great Zimbabwe, Making Zimbabwe greater. One people, One Vision, One Nation.
Winning Zimbabwe for change! Change that delivers!
God Bless You. God Bless Our Great Zimbabwe. God bless Africa.
