Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said repression is a signal for action and change.

President Chamisa also urged Zimbabweans to remain strong and unwavering despite incessant persecution.

“THE POWER OF FOCUS-People that inspire and encourage in the leadership journey are a rarity. To many of you who encourage and energize when the oppressor is attacking us,THANK YOU! All oppression is temporary.Keep organizing,never agonize.Repression is a signal 4 Action & change,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

He also paid tribute to Amai Chiweshe:

I note with sadness the death of a mighty woman of God, Amai T Chiweshe who passed on this(Thursday) morning.

Amai Chiweshe was pastoring in Chitungwiza.She was wife to the powerful late Evangelist PD Chiweshe.May we all be consoled in Lord during this sad moment.Rev 14:13 RIP Mupositori!

By A Correspondent- Former Zanu-PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu, has exhorted the country’s political leaders to ditch politics of hate and unite for their own good and that of the nation.

“We need to change the way we do our politics. We may differ, but there is a need to find a common ground and move forward.

“I do not condone lawlessness, but politics of hate is not good. Let us open a new chapter so that we can end toxic politics.

“Let us unite as Zimbabweans and solve our differences peacefully. Political problems can be solved politically without violence,” Tsenengamu said.

Reacting to several arrests of opposition figures, Tsenengamu also called on Zanu-PF supporters to condemn arbitrary arrests of activists — the same way they condemned the persecution of Mnangagwa’s supporters during the reign of the late former president Robert Mugabe.

“During Mugabe’s time many people who are in the current Zanu-PF were not happy with the move to arrest Mnangagwa and (vice president Constantino) Chiwenga, and now they are happy with the current arrests.

“This is not good for the country. We must learn to sit down and solve our issues without attracting the attention of outsiders.

“It’s high time we end the politics of bitterness. Let’s find ways to solve our issues together as Zimbabweans,” Tsenengamu also said.

This comes as political tension is rising again in the country, amid fresh fears of violence as a reeling MDC Alliance feels the pressure on new fronts, including the threat of the coalition losing its name.

On Tuesday, police had to be called in to disperse agitated alliance supporters in Harare, after Haruzivishe was sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison for inciting public violence.

The sentencing witnessed rowdy scenes involving MDC Alliance supporters who had thronged Harare Magistrates’ Court in solidarity with the youthful activist — leading to clashes that left one freelance photojournalist, Sam Takawira, injured after he was caught up in the melee as he was filming proceedings.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive Solwayo Ngwenya has revealed that government has promised to deploy a physicist to operate the cancer radiotherapy machines which are lying idle as there is no qualified operator.

Ngwenya said government had heeded their concerns of being short-staffed and would soon deploy a physicist to the hospital.

“The government has seconded a physicist so the machines will be working very soon,” he said.

Recently, Ngwenya revealed that the hospital’s two physicists had left for greener pastures.

He said the one who joined the hospital recently still needed to be trained on how to operate the machines.

Ngwenya said the shortage of physicists meant the hospital would offer limited services until the institution has a full complement.

He said since the machines had been down for months, they should be checked before patients can start accessing the service again.

Ngwenya said they required at least three physicists.

The Mpilo boss said physicists were highly skilled and sought-after even outside the country, adding that they would contact patients on the waiting list once everything was in order.

-Newsday

08 APRIL 2021

1.       Representatives from social movements and Civic Society Organisations met on the 8^th of April 2021 to shadow the Extraordinary SADC Double Troika Summit convened by SADC leaders to address the ongoing conflict in Mozambique.

2.      The People’s Summit received verified reports on the humanitarian, human rights and economic impacts of the conflict. Nearly 3 000 civilians have been reported dead and a further 700 000 civilians displaced. Over 1 million people are estimated to be in urgent need of humanitarian support.  

3.      The Summit condemned the disproportionate targeting of women and children as objects of sexual violence attributed to both the insurgents and State security. 

4.      The People’s Summit expressed concern over the absence of a robust SADC intervention mechanism or process since the onset of the conflict in 2017.

5.      Summit rejected the thesis that the ISIS, Al Shabaab Mozambique or foreign militias are sorely responsible for the conflict and highlighted the combustive interplay between unresolved local grievances and the collusion of native elites and foreign cartels in stripping Cabo Delgado resources. 

6.       Summit noted the failure by the Mozambican government to guarantee security of civilians and address the humanitarian impacts of the conflict. 

7.       Summit highlighted the escalation of rights violations particularly the rape of young girls and women perpetrated by both the insurgents and State Security Forces. 

8.       Summit expressed concern over the growth of a regional cross-boundary illicit economy in drugs, minerals, human trafficking and small arms in the Region as a direct result of the conflict.

9.      Summit received pledges of people-to-people solidarity from around the region aimed at mobilizing voices, resources and practical support to help the people of Mozambique.

Recommendations

1.      Summit called for an end to military hostilities and removal of mercenary security companies, foreign insurgents and other destabilizing forces in the Cabo Delgado region.

2.      Summit underscored, the need for an inclusive national dialogue process aimed at achieving lasting peace through resolving the root and underlying causes of the conflict in Northern Mozambique. 

3.      Summit urged, SADC leaders to urgently deploy a high-level team of envoys to engage all stakeholders and inform a comprehensive SADC regional response to address the conflict.

4.      Summit recommended the immediate declaration of a Humanitarian Emergency to facilitate the mobilization of necessary humanitarian interventions.

5.      Summit urged SADC leaders, to prioritize the economic emancipation of the region through the reversal of harmful extractive contracts and debts arrangements. 

6.      Summit called upon SADC to strengthen and implement regionally binding frameworks to regulate the operations of extractive industries and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.

7.      Summit called upon the Government of Mozambique to comprehensively address the historic marginalization of the Cabo Delgado Region through the devolution of power and authority from Maputo to the hinterlands. 

8.      Summit urged SADC leaders, to send a fact-finding mission to investigate and ascertain claims of massive human rights abuses particularly rape and sexual violence against women.

Summit committed to;

i.               Leverage people to people solidarity and speak out against terrorism and the reluctance by SADC leaders to take robust action to address the conflict.

ii.              Continuously engage SADC and Mozambican Embassies within different SADC countries on the situation in Cabo Delgado. 

iii.            Mobilise humanitarian goods and resources to support affected brothers and sisters from Mozambique.

By A Correspondent- A man from Nyanga, Manicaland Province, who had been presumed dead by his family reappeared almost a week later.

Lovemore Chatindo was last seen on Christmas Day last year and everyone was convinced that he had been murdered for ritual purposes.

A search party failed to find Chatindo and his friend and traditional healer, Manyanga Sanyanga, claimed that he had seen Chatindo in his dreams.

Sanyanga said Chatindo had pleaded to be rescued as he was in pain, with four litres of blood having been drawn from his body.

The traditional healer claimed that Chatindo had died at the hands of a local businessman, Cossy Samanyika, who had reportedly used his blood for ritual purposes.

However, Chatindo resurfaced after New Year looking pale and hardly recalling what transpired on the day of his disappearance.

He was taken to hospital after he was picked up by Good Samaritans in Mutoko, about 300km from his home.

Doctors diagnosed that Chatindo had lost a lot of blood and that he needed an urgent blood transfusion.

Chatindo said he does not remember what happened during the six days he was missing. He said:

I do not remember those six days. I only remember falling asleep at Samanyika’s tuck-shop.

When I woke up, a donkey was neighing at me in Mutoko. I was in a gulley and I do not know what happened for me to get there.

Samanyika has denied involvement in Chatindo’s disappearance and he has since approached Chief Saunyama’s court for redress.

Meanwhile, the traditional healer made a U-turn to exonerate Samanyika, saying he never dreamt of Chatindo’s death.

Chief Saunyama ordered the parties to consult a traditional healer to unravel the mystery.-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- Five pupils at Sacred Heart Girls High School in Bulawayo have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement that was addressed to the parent and guardians, the headmistress at the Roman Catholic Church-run girls school, Sister Ludo Ncube revealed that the tests were conducted at Esigodini Hospital after nine pupils exhibited flu-like symptoms.

She said:

On behalf of the school family, I would like to confirm five cases of COVID-19 all being pupils at our school.

Tests for COVID-19 were administered at Esigodini Hospital after realizing that nine of our students had flu symptoms.

We sent nine of them to the hospital, five of them tested positive and four negative. The tests were conducted this morning 7 April.

All necessary precautions have been taken in line with COVID-19 protocols.

The Ministry of Health care team is on the ground to monitor and manage the situation. May we all keep calm and avoid panic Jesus Christ our redeemer is in control.

The power of the resurrection from the resurrected Christ will see us through and heal us. By His stripes, we were healed’. Be Blessed.

In a related development, three Form Five pupils at Girls College in Bulawayo recently tested positive for coronavirus, prompting the school to conduct mass testing on learners in selected classes and staff members on Tuesday.

By A Correspondent- Alacious details have emerged of how the former first family’s elite schools and orphanage nestled in a vast estate in Mazowe – 40km north of Harare – were rocked by an alleged child sexual abuse scandal that was kept under wraps.

Investigations revealed the shocking scandal at Grace Mugabe Orphanage and Amai Mugabe Junior and High schools after 10 children were allegedly caught up in the scandal from late 2018 to 2019.

The names (supplied) of the minors cannot be revealed to protect their identity.

The matter was reported to Grace Mugabe in 2019, but it was kept a closely guarded secret for fear of investigation by authorities.

The scandal erupted, according to highlevel officials, after an Advanced Level student allegedly abused a minor at the orphanage in 2018.

At the time of the abuse, school pupils in the boarding school were using the same facilities as the 94 orphans adopted by the former first lady.

This then sparked a series of cases which came to the fore after four children sustained injuries related to the sexual abuse and were rushed to Concession Hospital.

Medical personnel at the hospital confirmed to the Zimbabwe Independent that such cases were handled at the institution.

Mashonaland Central provincial medical director Clemence Tshuma did not respond to questions by the time of going to print.

However, it is understood that Grace set up an investigating team led by the orphanage resident pastor Miriam Chigiga, Amai Grace Mugabe Foundation administrator Misheck Muchimwe and Amai Mugabe Junior School headmaster Stephen Zulu.

“What was heart-wrenching was that two of the abused boys are HIV positive, they were born with the condition. This is why it’s important that the matter should be brought to light to make sure it is dealt with thoroughly,” an official close to the matter said.

To cover up the scandal, the Amai Grace Mugabe Foundation, then made recommendations to Mugabe to employ a resident nurse named Susan Sunhwa, who would look into the health affairs of the children to plug any information leakages about the goings-on at the orphanage and schools.

Chigiga denied that there was once a sexual abuse scandal at the orphanage and school, saying she was nurturing the children in Christian values.

“These children have responsible caregivers who are widows and single mothers who always keep an eye on them. There is no way the children can be involved in such abuse cases because we teach them Godly ways. We don’t tolerate that; we are an openly Christian school,” Chigiga, a Zaoga ordained pastor, said.

Muchimwe chipped in: “Nothing of that sort ever happened at the schools.”

But sources insisted that the scandal unfolded.

“if they (school authorities) deny that there was such a case then we can surely produce the names of the children who were involved. Grace was informed about the issue; Bona Mugabe-Chikore is also aware of it. Evidence is available to that effect,” an impeccable source said.

repeated efforts to get a comment from Grace Mugabe were futile.

Her daughter, who oversees family businesses, Mugabe-Chikore’s phone went unanswered several times.

Overcrowded orphanage

The Independent has also established that Grace Mugabe is keeping children at the Mazowe orphanage far above the stipulated 70 granted by the Ministry of labour and Social Welfare.

According to a Grace Mugabe Children’s Home certificate, registration number SW/10/111 signed by the then labour and Social Welfare minister paurina Mpariwa, the orphanage has a cap for 70 children taken from birth to 18 years.

The certificate was issued on February 3, 2012 under the Children’s Act (Chapter 5:06) for the establishment of a children’s home at iron Mask Farm in Mazowe.

Mugabe, according to some of her employees, sources food like mealie-meal and meat from her farms to cater for the children.

“They don’t buy a lot of things. Most of the food comes from her farms. But the problem is that she violated the law by taking in more children than is allowed by the certificate she got from the Ministry of labour and Social Welfare,” an official at the orphanage said. Chigiga said the children were well taken care of and there were no issues of overcrowding.

Government workers

During the Mugabe reign, teachers at the Amai Mugabe Junior and High Schools were mostly drawn from government and seconded to the private institution.

Government teachers from the high school resigned from government after Mugabe was removed from power in November 2017 and were absorbed as full-time private employees while those at the junior school remained in the civil service.

Half of the teachers at the junior school are still government employees.

The government employees also receive allowances from the private school.

Amai Mugabe schools are upmarket learning institutions which charge US$1 800 per term.

Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said government workers could be seconded to private schools if private schools request for additional staff.

“There are government teachers in schools that are run by councils and churches; all these are private schools. Even in some trust schools there are teachers who are on government payroll,” Ndoro said.

-The Independent

ByA Correspondent- Government through the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), recently disbursed over $15 million to the Bulawayo City Council for routine road maintenance works that includes pothole patching.

The maintenance works are expected to start this month.

“The 2021 Zinara budget allocation was $154 360 730 to cover both routine and periodic maintenance works,” council minutes read in part.

“The routine maintenance works would comprise of pothole patching of public transport routes, central business district, major and minor collector roads with an allocation of $61 744 220, while the periodic maintenance programme would focus on the rehabilitation of Masiyephambili Drive between Victoria Falls road and Luveve Road, approximately a 6,5km section.

“The rehabilitation would comprise pavement reconstruction, storm water drainage improvement, and installation of streetlights on the 2,2km stretch and resealing works on the 4,3km stretch. “The rehabilitation works were estimated to cost approximately $92 616 438. Zinara disbursed $15 436 055 for the first quarter on February 3, 2021 for routine maintenance works. So far, 75% of the funds had been used in the procurement of materials to produce coldmix, hotmix, road line paint, and plant repairs.”

According to the minutes, the target was to utilise the disbursed funds to enable Zinara to release the second quarter disbursement.

Council engineer Simela Dube confirmed that $15 436 055 had been disbursed for routine maintenance works, starting with pothole patching by community groups.

He said the outstanding wards which were left out in 2020 would be considered first for the maintenance.

“The declaration (of roads as a state of national disaster) was expected to trigger mobilisation and the release of funds to attend to the damaged roads in accordance with SI [Statutory Instrument] 47 of 2021 section 6,” the minutes read.

“For the duration, the Department of Roads shall take over the rehabilitation and construction of major roads in urban local authorities to expedite maintenance and repair works with provincial road engineers superintending over all roads within their respective provinces.

“The Department of Roads shall access the advances to the National Protection Fund that may be made in terms of section 30 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06). The government was, however, yet to allocate ERRP [emergency road rehabilitation programme] funds to local authorities. The disbursement formula and pattern was unknown.”

The works are supposed to start this month and the roads listed in the programme are Matopos Road23rd Avenue City boundary, Old Esigodini Crouch Road-Hope Fountain Road, Nkulumane roads, Maduma Road, Intemba to S Ngwenya shops, Luveve 5 roads, Murchison Road, 4th Avenue-Robert Mugabe Way to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and 8th Avenue Robert Mugabe Way to Jason Moyo.

By A Correspondent- A majority of junior doctors have declined to be conscripted into the army and will now be deployed to public hospitals, it has emerged.

Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga in September last year ordered that junior doctors be conscripted into the army for residency or houseman ship.

This was viewed by observers as tantamount to militarisation of the health sector and aimed at stopping health practitioners from engaging in industrial action and leaving the country for greener pastures.

But NewsDay understands that about 100 out of the 180 junior doctors have rejected undergoing military housemanship and government has climbed down on its earlier position and allowed them to serve in public hospitals.

According to a correspondence by Health ministry secretary James Chimedza to the Health Service Board executive director ruth Kaseke dated april 6, about 100 junior doctors are to be placed under the housemanship programme at various health institutions countrywide.

“It is noted that there are about 100 medical graduates who are yet to undergo the required housemanship programme,” read part of the letter by Chimedza.

“The Hon Vice-President and Minister of Health and Child Care has approved that these students be deployed to various qualifying hospitals to begin the housemanship.”

Chimedza added: “We are, therefore, rolling out the recruitment process immediately utilising the available Treasury concurrence issued out last year. The acting chief director curative services will draw up the deployment list which we shall share with you.”

Chiwenga, who was appointed Health minister last year, had stepped up efforts to militarise the health profession and stop junior doctors from striking.

Junior doctors are supposed to go for a two-year practice in public hospitals as part of their training.

Health expert Norman Matara, who is secretary of the Zimbabwe association of Doctors for Human rights, said a class is often made up of 180 to 190 junior doctors, meaning about 80 had opted for conscription with the army.

“Housemanship is for two years, and it is a normal procedure which every doctor should go through,” he said.

“The 100 are those who refused to do an internship in the army. Government has allowed these ones to do it under the Ministry of Health. Some agreed to do it under the army.”

Chiwenga also suspended training of junior doctors at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) to force them to return to work.

He also ordered the closure of three programmes at the UZ medical school, a move viewed as victimisation of specialist health practitioners who went on strike to demand personal protective equipment.

The decision was, however, later reversed.

In September last year, Chiwenga imposed tough measures for doctors intending to leave the country.

A junior doctor will now be required to pay US$200 for a clearance certificate signed by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe if he/she wants to leave for greener pastures outside the country.

Chiwenga, who was acting President during the junior doctor’s strike, said the junior doctors would remain under the Higher education ministry until they completed training.

“Government has spent a lot of money training these young doctors as what they want to call them. I think they are still in internship. They are not yet junior doctors. We are going to look at the law within our systems as we have found that the systems which were being followed were not correct,” Chiwenga said then.

“When someone is still under training, you cannot call him/her a junior doctor.

“He/she is still on internship, and those regulations are going to be made. We will put them to Parliament and, until somebody finishes, he or she is still under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary education because eventually, they are the ones who say ‘yes, he has finished and is now entitled to be registered as a doctor’.”

Junior doctors have had long-standing grievances with the government over the welfare and conditions of service which saw them resorting to industrial action to jolt government into action.-newsday

By A Correspondent- In an ironic twist of fate, a Bulawayo man, who sustained horrific burns while allegedly attempting to steal a Zesa high voltage transformer at Mpilo Central Hospital, could not be fully attended to for three days as the hospital had no electricity following theft of cables by unknown suspects.

Ishmael Mpofu (25) sustained burns while allegedly attempting to steal a 1 000-volt transformer at Mpilo Central Hospital on Saturday and was immediately admitted to the same institution.

The hospital then experienced a power outage between Monday night and Wednesday evening after a suspected syndicate stole electric cables.

Doctors said due to the serious nature of Mpofu’s burns, there was a danger of his internal organs collapsing.

They described as “touch and go” the days during the blackout as most of the equipment needed to save Mpofu’s life was powered by the same electricity he tried to deprive the hospital of.

Following the restoration of power yesterday, all hands are on deck at the hospital to assist him.

Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said although the situation was sad, the patient got first-hand experience of challenges associated with theft of electricity infrastructure at hospitals. He said they incurred a bill of about US$2 400 after running the biggest referral hospital in the southern region on diesel generators.

“We need the money to buy drugs and other hospital consumables but these are the things that end up contributing to patients being told to buy this and that, because these are unforeseeable and unnecessary costs,” he said.

“We found it very ironic that someone who was stealing electricity cables at our hospital was hospitalised under our care. We also suffered cable theft three days ago and he had to endure the difficulties that we had when we were relying mainly on generators.”

He said it was worrying that thieves are so hardhearted as to cut power that is supposed to help save lives.

“They are so daring that they are cutting off power to a strategic lifesaving institution like Mpilo Central Hospital. We wish the suspect a speedy recovery and we hope that other people are deterred from stealing electricity infrastructure. Electricity is a vital life serving utility and at the same time it can kill,” he said. Prof Ngwenya said Mpofu’s condition was critical but it had stabilised. “Doctors are treating him, because he sustained very serious burns and he is very lucky to be alive. From the type of burns he suffered and the voltage that hit him, he is very lucky to be alive,” said Prof Ngwenya.

he news crew yesterday missed out on speaking to the suspect who is now under Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) guard at Mpilo Central Hospital.

The suspect, although struggling to speak, was willing to tell his story about how he got roped into the electricity infrastructure vandalism syndicate but prison authorities refused to let him do so.

The theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure is a major concern for the country with Government saying it is tantamount to sabotaging the economy. Last month, Cabinet approved a 30-year mandatory jail sentence for those who steal or vandalise power infrastructure. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said Government is set to amend a law governing handling of copper in the country.

“Cabinet considered and approved the Copper Control Amendment Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi), as Chairman of Cabinet Committee on Legislation. Cabinet was informed that the Bill seeks to provide for the offence of vandalism of utilities through the theft of copper which is then sold on the black market,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“In order to curb theft of copper, the police will require anyone found in possession of copper to provide the names and addresses of both the seller and the purchaser, description and quantity of the copper and the reasons for disposal. Convicted copper thieves will now be liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than 30 years without the option of a fine. In addition, any vehicle or device used to illegally transport copper will now be forfeited to the State,” she said.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Judicial Service Commission (JSC) deputy legal services secretary Faith Mushure has exposed Chief Justice Luke Malaba for “lying” that suspended High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere, had 28 reviews and eight judgments which were outstanding.

Justice Ndewere was suspended five months ago by President emmerson Mnangagwa for alleged incompetence.

Since Tuesday, she has been appearing before a tribunal led by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako, set up to establish if she was still suitable for office.

During cross-examination by Justice Ndewere’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, Mushure, who is the star witness, said the JSC accepted that the judge’s 28 reviews and eight judgments were not outstanding.

“I am aware also that several judges exceed 90 days to give their judgments and that several judges at the Supreme Court have judgments outstanding for up to three years,” Mushore said.

“The Judicial Service Commission has now changed the charge from 28 outstanding reviews and judgments to ‘failure to complete the judgments in 90 days’.”

Justice Ndewere yesterday claimed that she was the only judge out of 17 who was suspended for allegedly failing to deliver judgments on time, accusing Chief Justice Malaba of lying to Mnangagwa.

“There are 17 judges mentioned in memoranda from Chief Justice (Malaba), but I was the only one singled out for victimisation,” Justice Ndewere told the tribunal.

“I explained on my part, my reasons to Judge President (Paddington Garwe) for exceeding 90 days, because I had been on sick leave for three months.

“Apparently, the Chief Justice had also written a memo to Judge President dated October 1, 2020, where he instructed judges to complete judgments which were outstanding for 15 months by November 30, 2020.

“In the memorandum, Chief Justice Luke Malaba instructed all judges to exceed the 90-day limit from three months to 17 months. I didn’t have any outstanding judgments on October 1, 2020 when this instruction was given.”

Mtetwa said Justice Malaba reported in his address at the opening of the 2021 legal year on January 16 this year that the High Court had a backlog of 1 724 cases as at December 31, 2020, but not a single file from this backlog belonged to Justice Ndewere, which proves the victimisation.

“Other judges with outstanding judgments have not been disciplined and that doesn’t matter because this hearing was about Justice Ndewere, and not other judges. These judgments were completed two years ago,” Mtetwa said.

Justice Ndewere denied all charges and told the tribunal in her defence that she was being victimised by the Chief Justice for refusing to deny giving bail to former Labour minister Priscah Mupfumira and opposition MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala. Justice Ndewere also told the tribunal that Chief Justice Malaba wrote to all judges on May 18, 2020 instructing them to complete all outstanding judgments by July 31, 2020.

“I had only one outstanding judgment when Chief Justice Malaba provided the extension to six judges. The memorandum by Chief Justice Malaba dated May 18, 2020 extended the time to complete the judgment from 90 days to July 31, 2020 and I met that deadline provided by the Chief Justice,” Justice Ndewere said.

Mtetwa said Chief Justice Malaba had accepted that 90 days was not practical when he issued his memorandum dated May 18, 2020, hence his decision to extend the deadline to July 31, 2020.

The hearing continues today when Donald Ndirowei, the registrar of the High Court, will give evidence.

https://youtu.be/-RR4z3LTqT0

Harare City Council director of works Zvenyika Chawatama appeared in court yesterday for the second time in a week charged with fraud after he allegedly appointed himself town clerk.

He was remanded in custody pending bail ruling today.

Meanwhile, two sisters have been arrested after they were found in possession of cocaine worth $560 000.

The arrest of the sisters Oshilla (36) and Panashe (23) Chikwenha of Chitungwiza, who are suspected to be part of a drug-peddling syndicate responsible for trafficking cocaine from Brazil and India, came just few days after the arrest of two Brazilians carrying the same drug.

The duo was found in possession of 2,89 grammes of cocaine and 546 grammes of methamphetamine worth $560 000 at their place of residence.

They were also found with four passports with valid Indian visas.

The two appeared before magistrate Ngoni Nduna charged with dealing in dangerous drugs.

They were not asked to plead to the charge and are expected to apply for bail today.

Netsai Mushayabasa appeared for the State.

-Newsday

 By A Correspondent- A journalist has appeared at the Chiredzi Magistrates Courts facing a charge of stealing a classified document from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Law and Order office at Chiredzi Police Station.

Patrick Chitongo, who runs Lowveld Checkpoint, an online publication, is alleged to have committed the crime in August 2019.

His case failed to kick off on Wednesday after some of the police officers who were supposed to be State witnesses failed to turn up.

Chitongo, who is being represented by human rights lawyer Ross Chavi, was advised that the matter would proceed by way of summons.

It is the State’s case that in August 2019, Chitongo broke into a building at Chiredzi Police Station and stole the document before leaking it on social media.

The leaked document showed that the Joint Operations Command (JOC), which comprises the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Police Internal Security and Intelligence, and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Intelligence, formed a 24-hour Ferret team which monitored movements of key MDC members they suspected of being involved in planning acts of banditry during and after the MDC Alliance August 2019 demonstrations.

In the document, some of the members, who were suspected to be working in cahoots with a 23-member MDC youth vanguard based in South Africa to unleash acts of subversion, include Chitongo himself, Chiredzi town chairperson Gibson Hwende, former MDC Zaka West MP Festus Dumbu, ward 18 councillor Gilbert Mutubuki, Menias Gangata, the Premier Service Medical Aid Society administrator in Chiredzi, and James Kampota, the MDC Alliance district chairperson.

According to the leaked report, the Ferret Team received information on August 8, 2019 that a 23-member gang would enter Chiredzi town from South Africa using undesignated entry points.

The team even proposed that a roadblock be set up at Mkwasine-Tanganda junction to monitor every entry point into Chiredzi.

Part of the report gleaned by the NewsDay, which was allegedly compiled by one Inspector Ncube and Constable Ndiripo from Police Internal Security and Intelligence read: “The vanguards were to use three 4×4 double cabs with unspecified number plates armed with RS rifles, pistols and AK-47 rifles, some of which were stolen from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Furthermore, the number of weapons and ammunition were not specified though intended to be used during the demonstrations. The FT also gathered that the vanguard team was to be received and housed by Menias Gangata, Patrick Chitongo, Festus Dumbu, Gibson Hwende, Gilbert Mutubuki, James Kampota and Sisokisi, whose details were yet to be established.

“The Ferret Team is privy to the information from contacts that the MDC’s intelligence wing was seized with identifying insecured (sic) government properties.

“Furthermore, it was noted with great concern that same were identifying and profiling all security agents in Chiredzi as they are part of targets in order to weaken and embarrass the government.”

When JOC members started looking for Chitongo, he went into hiding before resurfacing weeks later, leading to his arrest.-newsday

https://youtu.be/-RR4z3LTqT0

By A Correspondent- Civil servants have declared that with effect from 12 April, they will report for duty only twice a week.

In a letter addressed to Public Service Commission secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe, dated 8 April 2021, the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), president Cecilia Alexander cited incapacitation as the reason behind their decision

ZCPSTU is also accusing the government of lacking seriousness in improving their worthless salaries. Alexander wrote:

Following an offer of 25% of one’s current earnings which the Government brought on the negotiating table in the previous NJNC meeting set to be effected on 01 April 2021, which proved to be incapable of addressing civil servants’ capacity to execute their duties, ZCPSTU representing all member unions do hereby notify your august office that all civil servants will, starting on 12 April 2021, report for duty twice a week.

This resolution passed on by the full ZCPSTU council is informed by the following:

• The prevailing economic situation no longer resonates well with the civil servants’ salaries.
• The employer takes longer in responding to workers’ plight whilst they languish in acute poverty
• The employer is making unilateral decisions in implementing offers that are not agreed upon in the NJNC rendering the negotiation process invalid
• That the employer will have to swiftly react to addressing the capacitation of its workforce to ensure smooth service delivery of all the Government’s entities
• That the employer should start to speak to workers position paper which calls for restoration of the civil servants’ pre-October 2018 salaries
• That the employer should expedite the crafting of a roadmap towards the restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries.

In conclusion, the decision made by the workers that they will not be able to report for duty all the week’s working days is not by choice but as a result of prevailing circumstances.

It is to this end that as ZCPSTU, we call upon your office to respect this decision by not punishing any member who happens to be a victim of incapacitation.

Instead, we appeal for your indulgence that the issue is addressed with the urgency it deserves.

By A Correspondent- A Chicken Inn customer is crying foul after over R11 000 was deducted from his account after he bought food for less than US$24 last month.

According to the man, one Walter Pedzisayi Mandove, efforts to get a reversal of the transaction has hit a brickwall as the Chitungwiza branch manager only identified as Gamla has been uncooperative to assist him.

Said Mandove:

“I bought food in Chitungwiza Zuva Chicken Inn in March. I used my international visa card, Nedbank one. I bought food of less than $24 which when converted to South African rands it’s less than R400.

But to my surprise they took R11 965,36. I am failing to understand how they could do this. I have tried to ask them to make a reverse but seems am hitting a rock. The guy who is supposed to help is ignoring. Ndadzidza,ndaingonzwa nevamwe ndazozvionera meaning i have learnt a lesson, I have in the past heard others talk about their horrible experiences.

The first lady at Avondale (who i talked to for assistance) was so good. She was assisting me nicely. Things changed when I was referred to this Gamla guy in Chitungwiza. He confirmed and said they were working on it and later ignored me.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chicken Inn was work in progress by the time of writing.

More details follow……

By A Correspondent- Police have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly killed a Mhondoro couple after accusing them of witchcraft.  

The incident occurred last week in Mhondoro, under Chief Chivero. Freddy Makanganya (45) allegedly killed a couple Tabeth Chiumba (71) and Tayero Santumeya over witchcraft allegations.

Reports are that on April 1, 2021, Makanganya was heard by villagers shouting during the night that he wanted to kill Chiumba over witchcraft. It is alleged that around 9pm on the same day, he proceeded to Chiumba and Santumeya’s home where he demanded that Chiumba should throw away her ‘objects’ which she was using for witchcraft purposes.

He allegedly started assaulting her with a knobkerrie all over her body resulting in her death. Santumeya went missing on the same evening and his body was found on April 3.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the sad incident. “On April 1, 2021, a Mhondoro woman (71) was fatally assaulted by a suspect (45) over allegations of witchcraft.

“The suspect proceeded to the victim’s homestead during the night and struck her with a knobkerrie several times all over the body. The victim later succumbed to the injuries.”

Asst Comm Nyathi called on the public to live peacefully with each other and appealed to community leaders to intervene is such cases. Recently, police arrested Denford Nyamande (35) of Marumisa Village in Murehwa, who is suspected of killing his father and aunt on March 22.

Nyamande allegedly killed his father Felix Taona Chiodza (87) in Marumisa Village and his aunt Ms Angela Bhunu (89) in Chidziva Village whom he accused of witchcraft.

An axe with blood stains was found near Mr Chiodza’s body, while a hoe suspected to be a murder weapon was also found near Ms Bhunu’s corpse. The suspect was fished out from his hideout at Mutsvairo Village, Chief Seke on March 29.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Croco Motors boss Moses Tonderai Chingwena was yesterday convicted on his own plea for killing a pedestrian in Harare while driving at night on July 11 last year.

Chingwena appeared before magistrate Barbara Mateko charged with culpable homicide and negligent driving.

The Croco Motors boss pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to four months imprisonment with an option of a $60 000 fine.

In sentencing him, the magistrate said Chingwena showed remorse to the family of the deceased after he footed the funeral bill.

Chingwena also paid 10 cows to the family of the deceased as compensation and an additional US$4 000.

“The accident occurred at night and this meant there was poor visual sight. The deceased was also supposed to check if the road was clear. Despite all this, the accused person helped the deceased and this also mitigates moral blameworthiness of the accused person,” Mateko said.

“The court noted that the accused person is 60 years old and was a first offender and that he did not waste the court’s time.”

The court heard that on July 11 last year, Chingwena was driving along Poland road in Gletwin at around 10pm when he hit a pedestrian, Shepherd Mukatira, who died on the spot.

Caroline Mutimusakwa appeared for the State.-Newsday

By A Correspondent| Civil servants have declared incapacitation and will with effect from Monday next week report for duty twice a week.

In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) accused the government of lacking seriousness in improving their worthless salaries.

More to follow…..

By A Correspondent- A 38 year old Mvurwi man who stole a Nedbank corporate ATM card and withdrew $441 742 before purchasing a Honda Fit has been incarcerated by a Guruve magistrate.

Tafadzwa Gondwe pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa who sentenced him to an effective two year jail term yesterday.

Prosecutor Albert Charewa told the court that on March 21 Maduveko Mubaiwa (49) who is a treasurer at a private company offered the convict a lift from Velvekia to Mvurwi.

Madhuveko had the stolen ATM card stached besides the driver’s seat.

Gondwe who is a nephew to the complainant knew the pin of the card and stole it from his uncle while disembarking from the car.

Madhuveko proceeded to Harare and discovered the missing card at the tollgate.

On March 30 Madhuveko was approached by his company’s chief finance officer with a bank statement which indicated that there were 17 transactions that were made hence he wanted receipts for the transactions which he indicated that he had not done any transactions.

Madhuveko filed a police report on April 2 and the police managed to arrest Gondwe.

He confessed that he stole the card and withdrew the money.

Police managed to recover RTGS$189 000 and a Honda Fit.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has once again endorsed Douglas Mwonzora of the minor MDC through yet another court ruling.

This time Mnangagwa used the High Court to throw away an MDC-Alliance’s application intending to stop the Treasury from disbursing money under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to a rival faction led by Mwonzora

Chamisa wanted to stop Mwonzora’s MDC-T from accessing funds given to political parties with five or more MPs in Parliament after a Supreme Court ruling delivered in March last year declared that he was not the legitimate leader of the MDC-T.

In passing the ruling, Justice Muzofa said the MDC Alliance, which was the applicant in the matter, had no legal basis to make an application before the courts following a previous court ruling that it was not a political party.

In its application, the MDC Alliance had sought an interim court order to stop the Finance ministry from disbursing $299 970 000 which was allocated to the MDC-T under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

The MDC-T was cited as third respondent.

Responding to the application, MDC-T stated that the MDC Alliance had no legal capacity to sue as declared earlier in a judgment passed by High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi in another matter between the two parties.

“By virtue of the judgment already made that the applicant lacks legal capacity, the applicant cannot appear in court and claim that it has legal capacity,” the judge said in her ruling on Tuesday.
“The preliminary point is upheld, there is no applicant before the court. The finding disposes of the matter; it becomes unnecessary to deal with the rest of the preliminary points and the merits of the case. Since any decision is based on preliminary points and not on the merits, the application is struck off with costs,” she added.

In the application, MDC Alliance, represented by Alec Muchadehama of Mbizo, Muchadehama and Makoni Attorneys, had claimed that it was the rightful beneficiary of the funds since it garnered more votes than Mwonzora’s MDC-T in the 2018 elections.

“An issue was raised that, if the applicant has a constitution, it is not the party that contested in the 2018 harmonised elections,” Justice Muzofa said.

“It cannot, therefore, seek the order sought herein and is out of court. There was no response on this issue from the applicant. I am not inclined to take the failure to respond as an admission. I leave the question open since there was no proper argument on it.”

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, cited as first and second respondents respectively, had not opposed the granting of the interim relief.

The MDC Alliance and MDC-T parties have dragged each other to court in several wrangles which include leadership and control of the party offices following the death of party founder Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.

The MDC Alliance was formed on August 5, 2017 as a coalition of seven political parties, with the MDC-T and People’s Democratic Party included.
MDC-T under Thokozani Khupe contested the 2018 polls as a separate entity and failed to win an elective seat. It however, got two seats under proportional representation.

On the other hand, the MDC Alliance won 64 seats.

In March 2020, the Supreme Court declared Chamisa’s leadership of the MDC-T illegitimate.
Chamisa has also lost a bid to stop the recall of MDC Alliance MPs and councillors by Mwonzora. Mwonzora also plans to adopt the MDC Alliance moniker for his party to complete the coup de grâce against Chamisa, after taking over party offices and other assets.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- HKD Boss, as Freeman is fondly known, has said he has always dreamt of working with Sandra “Sandy” Ndebele as he is a fan of the multi-talented artiste.

The duo is trending on YouTube following the release of their iParty visuals that were shot by Andy Cutta. The video has since garnered over 45 000 views in three days.

Speaking on the collaboration, Freeman who pulled out a show-stopping performance alongside Killer T and Nox over the weekend in South Africa said he has always been fond of Sandy’s artistic work that dates back to the turn of the millennium.

“I’ve always been a fan of Sandy and her artistry as a performer. I mean from way back before I even got into the industry. Her energy and presence have always been something I adored so when the idea to make Freeman and Friends came up, we reached out to her camp and worked something out.

“If I could choose a single word to describe working with Sandy, it would be fun. She was present, very fun, and engaging. I sang Ndebele verses and you can only imagine how patient she was teaching me word by word. So yeah, it was fun as she’s easy-going and extremely patient,” said Freeman.

-Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance national spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has described Mr George Charamba’s remarks about the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe as a typical reflection of the callousness of the regime he represents.

Mr Charamba, who calls himself Jamanda on Twitter, gloated over the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe on Tuesday.

Mr Charamba stunned all and sundry when he castigated Makomborero Haruvizishe and the MDC Alliance, accusing the latter of sponsoring acts of violence.

According to Advocate Mahere, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s economic quagmire.

Advocate Mahere argued:

“Mr Charamba clearly lacks the courage to associate his true identity with the abhorrent content of his tweets.

How can he then be expected to understand or respect the type of courage it takes to fight brutal regimes such as the one he represents?”

“We urgently need a return to a people’s government,” added Advocate Mahere.

By James Gwati-The Zimbabwe Army will soon be facing its real match in Mozambique when President Emmerson Mnangagwa deploys them to the neighbouring country under SADC instruction.

Zimbabwe soldiers are synonymous with beating up unarmed civilians and now in Mozambique, they will face reality on the battlefield.

SADAC on Thursday in Maputo directed “an immediate technical deployment” to Mozambique as it seeks a “proportionate regional response” to insurgent attacks in northern Mozambique.

This means Zimbabwe as part of the regional bloc will also be sending its troops to assist neighbouring Mozambique.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Thursday attended a SADC Extraordinary Double Troika Summit on the security situation in northern Mozambique.

There have been heightened concerns over growing terrorist activities in Mozambique especially after the insurgent attacks on Palma – a coastal town in Cabo Delgado Province – on March 24.

The Double Troika is made up of Mozambique, the current SADC chair; Malawi (incoming chair) and the United Republic of Tanzania (immediate previous chair).

Other members include countries that constitute the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation – Botswana (current chair), South Africa (incoming) and Zimbabwe (outgoing).

The Summit is the highest policy-making body of the 16-member bloc, and will communicate resolutions that would have been made at the meeting today.
-Herald

By James Gwati-A popular Bulawayo Newspaper vendor was found dead with his privates ripped open, metres from his home in the early hours of Wednesday.

The state media reports that, Farai Mazhindu popularly known in Luveve as Dread or Rasta was found half naked with bruises all over his body.

There were used condoms in his jacket that was a few metres from the body.

The incident happened between Tuesday night and early hours of Wednesday and the suspects are still at large.

A group of school children found the bloodied body near a house where he was staying as a caretaker.

The house is owned by a Diasporan, identified only as Mr Mathema.

By James Gwati-Authorities at Harare Polytechnic college have suspended a female student for hugging her male counterpart.

Yolanda Musithu was recently barred from entering the college premises for allegedly hugging a male colleague at the college premises in what the authorities claimed was a contravention of WHO and the college’s COVID19 protocols.

She was only rescued by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who assigned an attorney, Dr Godfrey Mupanga who filed an urgent application at High Court seeking an order to compel Harare Polytechnic to allow Musithu access to the college.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is under pressure from the United Nations investigators tracking one of the most notorious killers in the Rwandan genocide believed to be hiding in Zimbabwe

Protais Mpiranya, the former commander of the presidential guard of the Rwandan army, has been on the run for 27 years charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

The ex-soldier is top of a list of remaining fugitives indicted by an international tribunal into the 1994 killings, which left 800,000 people dead in Rwanda, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic minority but also some Hutus.
Mpiranya had been second on the wanted list before the arrest of Felicien Kabuga, a former businessman alleged to have helped finance the genocide, on the outskirts of Paris in May. The US war crimes reward programme has offered a $5m reward for information leading to Mpiranya’s arrest.

Serge Brammertz, the prosecutor of the body charged with tracking down the fugitive alleged criminals, which is known as the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), said he was hoping to capitalise on the detention of Kabuga to corner Mpiranya.
Kabuga now faces charges of playing a key role in the genocide, and if convicted he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.

“We hope that the arrest of Kabuga would generate momentum and we are hoping to use this to get Mpiranya,” Brammertz said.
Investigators have long suspected Mpiranya of hiding in Zimbabwe and have made repeated attempts to convince local authorities to hand over the suspect.
Officials from the IRMCT travelled to Zimbabwe months after President Robert Mugabe was forced from power in November 2017 in the hope that the new government would prove more helpful than the former regime. There has been no progress, however, and a new request for assistance is to be made this month.
Brammertz said hopes had been boosted by an agreement on legal cooperation on criminal matters signed last month by Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
“Because of his military background it is very possible that [Mpiranya] still enjoys protection from senior military officers,” Brammertz told the Guardian. “We think he … is still quite active, still doing business and until recently has been moving around in east and central Africa, possibly between Zimbabwe, the DRC and South Africa.”

-The Guadian

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance has vowed to exert pressure on the Zanu PF regime to prosecute the ZRP cop who sexually assaulted Vongai Tome.

Tome is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.She was sexually assaulted by an overzealous cop in central Harare on Tuesday.Tome is also a member of the MDC Alliance Alliance Assembly Of Women national executive committee.

The MDC Alliance Assembly Of Women has called for the prosecution of the rogue cop.

Read statement below:

MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON THE ABUSE AND ARREST OF VONGAI TOME AND OTHER LEADERS

We are deeply concerned and disappointed at the same time about the arbitrary arrest of our National Executive member Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfuma, a Youth Assembly Executive member on Tuesday when they had gone to court in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months for exercising his rights.

What baffles us is that Tome is actually a victim of sexual abuse by one of the police officers who indicently assaulted her.

Nothing was done to this police office dispite the fact that there is evidence in form of videos. We are living in a state that does not care about its citizens and this is so scary especially for us women.

Who is going to protect us? Who is going to listen to our cries? The leadership crisis is deeper than we think as the government is clueless about reviving the economy, thus, they turn to violation of human rights as a way of scaring and silencing us.

We are not going to keep quiet. We demand the release of Vongai Tome and other political leaders as they are not criminals.

Surely Citizens must Converge for Change and end this suffering.

A people’s government is in the making!

TheChangeThatDelievers!

Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa
AOW Spokesperson

Office of the MP for Whange Central Constituency

Monthly Update Report

March 2021

INTRODUCTION

After a somewhat slow start to the New Year largely due to the restrictive nature of the COVID-19 related national lockdown; the office Of the MP for Whange Central constituency has slowly started to scale up its public programmes and meetings. As a result, the month of March was a more active one in terms of public programmes and meetings, when compared to both the month of January and February. It is thus hoped that the lockdown restrictions will continue to be reduced during the month of April so as to enable the Office of the MP to scale up on its public programmes and meetings.
The following is a summary report for the month of March 2021.

The report starts by sharing an update on various issues related to Parliamentary business. It then features some updates related to the Office of the MP’s partnerships with various civil society organisations. Thereafter the report focuses on some updates related to various local community initiatives. Last but not least, it concludes by featuring an update related to the administrative issues of the Office of the MP.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS

The Hon. MP Daniel Molokele, participated in various meetings at the Portfolio Committee level. He serves in three separate Committees. (Health and Childcare, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science and Technology Development and Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH AND CHILDCARE

The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month.
In particular, he was privileged to be the Master of Ceremonies during the launch event of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Pharmaceuticals Caucus on 18th March 2021. The launch event was attended by various representatives and stakeholders from the pharmaceutical sector of Zimbabwe.

Most members of the Portfolio Committee for Health and Childcare also attended the event. The guest of honour was the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Jacob Mudenda. He will also serve as the Patron of the new parliamentary caucus
The Hon. MP was also humbled to chair a special meeting on Tuesday 30th March 2021. The meeting was called to hear a petition from the Retail Pharmacists Association.

The petitioners are seeking for amendments to the Public Health Act. In particular, they are seeking for amendments to the sections of the Act that seem to give exclusive access to influential job posts to the medical doctors. They would like such job opportunities to be opened up to other professions in the health sector including nurses, pharmacists, among others. The Committee will have deliberations on the petition on Tuesday 13th April 2021.

HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month.
In particular, the Hon. MP was one of the members of the Committee that participated in all the five public hearings that were related to the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill. In this regard, the Hon. MP was privileged to chair the public hearing that was held at the Bulawayo Rainbow hotel on Monday 12th March 2021.

WOMEN AFFAIRS, COMMUNITY, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month.
In particular, he was humbled to chair the special Committee meeting that hosted a delegation from the Ministry as led by its Permanent Secretary John Sibanda. The meeting was held on Thursday 4th March 2021. The main purpose of the meeting was to receive evidence from the Ministry. In particular, a presentation was made to the Committee by the Permanent Secretary Melusi Matshiya, that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the SMEs sector from March 2020 till to date.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSIONS

The Hon. MP managed to attend most of the National Assembly plenary sessions across the month mostly via the Zoom virtual platform.

DEBATE ON THE MOTION ON THE PATRIOTISM BILL

On Tuesday 2nd March 2021, the Hon. MP actively debated in the motion on the proposed Patriotism Bill. The motion was introduced by the late Hon. Alum Mpofu, who was seconded by Hon. Togarepi Pupurai. The motion sought to support the proposed legislation of the Patriotism Bill that will mainly seek to criminalise any Zimbabwean whose behaviour and conduct, especially at an international level; is deemed to be unpatriotic in nature. In this regard, the Hon. MP was very clear in his stance on the motion. The Hon. MP strongly opposed both the motion and proposal to introduce the Patriotism Bill. His well-articulated debate on the motion ended up going viral and became his most well-known speech since he was admitted into the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2018.

DEATH OF HON. ALUM MPOFU

The Parliament of Zimbabwe was plunged into mourning once again, after the loss of one of its National Assembly members. Hon. Alum Mpofu, who was the MP for Mberengwa South, passed away on Sunday 28th March 2021 after a long illness. The Hon. MP would like to express his most sincere condolences to both the Mpofu family and residents of the Mberengwa South constituency.

RECALL OF MORE MDC ALLIANCE MPs

The Hon. Speaker of Parliament announced a new round of recalls on Wednesday 17th March 2021. The affected legislators were from the MDC Alliance but originally seconded by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The Hon. MP was very saddened and disappointed by the recalls, and expressed his full solidarity with all the affected legislators. It remains the Hon. MPs strong and unequivocally stance against these recalls; that he views as a deliberate affront to the democratic wishes of the Zimbabwean electorate as expressed in the July 2018 elections. On this sombre occasion, the Hon. MP takes this opportunity to re-affirm his clear stance in terms of public loyalty to the MDC Alliance as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND

During the first week of March, the Office of the MP rolled out a consultation process for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2021. In particular, this process was facilitated by the local CDF Committee as set up in terms of the relevant Parliamentary regulations and guidelines.

The consultation process went very well. On Tuesday 30th March, the CDF Committee held a meeting to deliberate and agree on at least three shortlisted proposals. This process will culminate in subsequent submission of the proposal to the relevant office at the Parliament of Zimbabwe during April 2021.

The CDF Committee is currently finalising its detailed report that covers the disbursement process for 2020. The funds for the 2020 allocation were used to refurbish a selected nine primary schools and one secondary school in the urban part of the constituency. The 2021 allocation will conversely focus on the rural part of the constituency. This is in line with the resolution of a major public consultation meeting that was held in 2018 that resolved that the CDF funds should be disbursed alternately between the rural and urban wards till 2023.

VARIOUS INITIATIVES WITH CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERS

WHANGE WIDOWS NETWORK COORDINATORS WORKSHOP

The Office of the MP, in partnership with a Chitungwiza-based NGO, the Widows Fountain of Life (WFoL); recently hosted a successful Ward-level Coordinators training workshop. The workshop was held on Saturday 27th March 2021. The WFoL Executive Director, Angeline Chiwetani, travelled all the way from Chitungwiza to Whange to help co-host the training workshop. Almost 40 participants attended the workshop. Participation at the workshop was at voluntary level. Each of the 17 wards under the local constituency was represented by at least two representatives who were successfully trained as Coordinators.

This is all in line with the on-going efforts by the office of the MP to actively support all widows who are based at the constituency. A follow-up training workshop will also be held towards the end of June 2021. The Office of the MP, in partnership with WFoL, also plans to host a special public event to commemorate the International Widows Day on Wednesday 23rd June 2021. The day was launched by the United Nations organisation (UN) in 2010 to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer in many countries following the death of their spouses.

ACTIVE SUPPORT TO THE DINDE COMMUNITY

The Office of the MP has been consistently engaging with the Dinde community especially on the recent mining activities and possible evictions. On Saturday 13th March 2021, the Office of the MP took time to visit rural Ward 13 in Dinde on a consultative mission. In this regard, the Office of the MP managed to conduct a successful consultation meeting with the local Councillor Morris Sibanda, the local village heads, community leaders and the representatives of the local Dinde Residents Association.

The consultation meeting discussed at length the topical issue of the proposed mining exploration by an investment company from China. The Office of the MP appreciated and supported the stance by the local community representatives who are demanding that no exploration process should start until a more comprehensive local consultation process is fully conducted.

As a result of its consultative field visit to Dinde, the Office of the MP identified a training gap and hosted a workshop focusing on advocacy. The workshop was held on Saturday 27th March 2021. It was successfully hosted in partnership with a local community organisation known as the Vostile Creatives Trust represented by Marlven Vosta Daka and Advocates4Earth; an organisation that focuses on environmental issues, which was represented by Tinashe Lenin Chisaira. The training workshop participants were drawn from representatives for various local Dinde community stakeholders.

The participants included the local Dinde village heads, traditional leaders, the resident Councillor, the local Dinde residents’ association leadership and the other community focal persons. The training workshop focused on such aspects as Campaign, Advocacy, Lobbying and environmental laws.

WHANGE THOUGHT LEADERS FORUM

The prospective partners to the proposed Whange Thoughts Leaders Forum met on Friday 26th February afternoon to deliberate and adopt the MoU for the modus operandi of the proposed forum. The forum seeks to promote a culture of local ideas and solutions in order to promote the development agenda for the constituency.

The said partners, namely Greater Whange Residents Trust, Hwange Radio FM, El Dorado Rock Park and Office of the MP ended up successfully adopting the MoU. Consequently, the new forum has now formally commenced as from 1st of March 2021. A planning meeting is set to be conducted during the third weekend of April. Added to that, the Forum is set to host its first braai-side meeting during the last weekend of April 2021.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE

The plans by the Office of the MP to host its inaugural Women of Influence Workshop, gathered some good momentum during the month of March. The conference will be held in partnership with a number of civil society leaders and organisations. Participants for the conference will be drawn exclusively from women who are based at the local constituency. The event is most likely to be held at the end of May 2021.

MEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE

The Office of the MP has started the process of organising the inaugural annual Men of Influence Conference. It is proposed that this special conference focusing exclusively on men based at the local constituency will be held in partnership with various civil society leaders and organisations such as the Padare/Enkundleni/Men’s Forum on Gender, among others. The conference is most likely to be held during July 2021.

CITIZEN JOURNALISM TRAINING WORKSHOP

The Office of the MP, in partnership with the Media Centre plans to host a basic training workshop focusing on the art of Citizen Journalism. The workshop facilitators will include renowned media expert Ernest Mudzengi and the award-winning journalist Luke Tamborinyoka, who will both travel all the way from Harare to Whange to facilitate the workshop. A public call for applications to participate at the workshop was issued by the Office of the MP during the first half of March 2021. There has been an overwhelming response to the call for participants. As such, it is planned that the workshop will be held during the mid-part of May 2021.

WOMEN CITIZEN JOURNALISM TRAINING WORKSHOP

The Office of the MP has started engaging with the Women’s Political Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) to host another workshop focusing on citizen journalism exclusively for women based at our local constituency. If all goes well, the workshop will be held sometime during June 2021. More details about the proposed workshop will be shared in the next few weeks.

GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION ELECTS INTERIM COMMITTEE

The Hon. MP has now successfully completed his role as the national Convenor for the Gospel Music Association of Zimbabwe (GMA). He has been the inspirational force behind the revival efforts of the GMA for the past three years. The Hon. MP formally handed over the leadership role of the GMA to an Interim Committee that was elected at the GMA’s long awaited national leadership meeting that was held at Harare on Saturday 20th March 2021. It is now envisaged that the Hon. MP will now take a backstage role and continue to serve the GMA as an advisor to its interim Committee. The interim Committee will be led by Stanley Chivere who was elected as its Chairperson.
The meeting further resolved that the term of the interim Committee will be based on the GMA Constitution. This means that the interim Committee will play its role until the next elective AGM that is due to be held in June 2023.

VARIOUS LOCAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

WARD LEVEL VISITS

The Office of the MP recently initiated a robust programme of engaging the local communities at ward level so as to help assess the effects of COVID-19, especially on the livelihoods of people in the Constituency. However, due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the Office of the MP is only engaging the ward Councillors for feedback purposes and a few ward community leaders.

It is in that particular context that the Office of the MP on Sunday 28th March, held an engagement meeting and local field tour with the Councillor for Ward 5, Tendai Sibanda. The field tour particularly focused on a local income generation project that is being run by some local women.

The initiative is known as Sizimisele and currently operates mostly by running a highly-productive nutrition garden in the neighbourhood. After the field tour, the Hon. MP had a very intensive strategy meeting with the leadership of the Sizimisele initiative that could help the project to continue to grow and develop in a viable and sustainable manner.
The Office of the MP, together with the Ward 5 Councillor, Tendai Sibanda; also held a meeting with a delegation from a local soccer team.

The local team constitutes mostly of primary and secondary school students. At the end of the meeting, the Hon. MP pledged his full support to the local soccer team. He also agreed to help the team secure the necessary equipment such as soccer balls and also sponsorship for a proposed challenge match between Ward 5 and Ward 6 soccer and netball teams. The tournament is likely to be held before the end of May 2021.

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WARD 20 COUNCILLOR

The Office of the MP recently had an engagement meeting with the Councillor for rural Ward 20, Bakani Kwidini. The meeting was held on Saturday 13th March 2021 at the Lukosi business centre. The meeting discussed the current status of the local community, challenges and possible solutions. The issues discussed also included the adverse effects of COVID-19 and the lockdown restrictions on the ward’s largely rural population.

RURAL WARDS BOREHOLES REPAIRS

In line with one of the major electoral commitments by the Hon. MP; since 2018, the Office of the MP has been paying for all boreholes repairs across all the three rural wards under the constituency. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue to run up to the end of the term of office in 2023. So far, the Office of the MP has fully paid for the repair services of over 30 boreholes.

ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE GIRL-CHILD AT SCHOOLS

The schools recently re-opened after a lengthy break that was forced by a necessary response to curb the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, Hon. MP has adopted several female learners at various schools across the constituency. These include Amanda Ndlovu who adopted by the MP at the end of her primary school years at Nekabandama under rural ward 12. For more than three years, the Hon. MP has been paying her tuition fees and others school related expenses while she is doing her studies at Gebhuza secondary school. The MP has also adopted Cheryl Sibanda who is a learner at the St Marys Primary school at the rural Ward 20. Last but not least, the Hon. MP recently adopted Lecylin Mbiza who is a multi-talented learner. He will be paying for both her tuition fees and other school related expenses at the Whange Government high school.

SOCIAL WELFARE SUPPORT FOR BIG CHARLIE

Since 2018, the Office of the MP has been actively supporting the legendary and iconic Big Charlie in terms of his social welfare needs. The process has largely been encapsulated by regular monthly visits by the staff of the Office of the MP. The staff always hand over groceries to Big Charlie during each of the monthly visits. The month of March was no exception as the Office of the MP, represented by the Administrator Fatuma Mohammad, managed once again to hand over some groceries to Big Charlie at his home.

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL ALBINO COMMUNITY

The Office of the MP recently met with the representatives of the Whange Albinos Association to discuss various ways of collaboration. A volunteer Committee has now been set up to help advise the Office of the MP to effectively address all issues related to Albinism in the constituency.
Further, the Office of the MP recently successfully coordinated a special week on Albinism in order to promote awareness of issues related to Albinism with the greater public under the constituency. The week covered the period from Sunday 28th February till Saturday 6th March 2021.

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

The Hon. MP is a strong believer in entrepreneurship especially from a young people’s perspective. In this regard, the Office of the MP held a meeting on Sunday 28th March 2021 with a delegation from one of the local start-up companies known as the New Addition Enterprises. The new company was recently set up by a consortium of youthful local entrepreneurs.

WHANGE LAW CHAMBERS

In line with his electoral campaign promise, the Hon. MP has resumed the process of setting up a permanent legal practice at Whange. The process was delayed last year in order to fulfil some requirements set by the Law Society of Zimbabwe. If all, goes well, the legal practice will be set up later this year.

OFFICE OF THE MP CONSOLES BESNART DUBE’S FAMILY

The local Whange community was recently plunged into deep mourning after the loss of Besnart Dube who passed away in mid-February 2021. The late Dube was a revered long-standing local community leader who had over the years been involved in various initiatives. In particular, she was well known as a civil and human rights advocate and had also championed the rights of the local informal sector.
On Saturday 13th March 2021, the Hon. MP led a delegation from the Office of the MP to the home of the late Dube, where he took some time to express his heartfelt condolences to her husband, children and grandchildren.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
OFFICE OF THE MP PHYSICAL ADDRESS

The Office of the MP would like to confirm that the Hwange Colliery Company has formally withdrawn the original offer for office space at the old Maurice Kantor shop that is located at the No.2 Colliery. After some serious consultations with some various local community stakeholders, the Office of the MP has resolved not to pursue the matter further. Instead, it has now been resolved that the physical offices will be located at Empumalanga township. In this regard, there are some advanced negotiations to sign a lease agreement for an office space located under Ward 4 at Empumalanga township.

OFFICE OF THE MP CONTACT DETAILS

The Office of the MP remains available to serve all local constituency residents at all times, regardless of their social status or political affiliation. Please do all feel free to contact the Office of the MP, especially during business hours. Also, do kindly take note of the contact details for all our team members:

• Daniel Molokele – Hon. Member of Parliament (071 372 6552)

• Thulani Moyo – Personal Assistant and Spokesperson (077 648 3659)

• Fatuma Mohammad – Office Administrator (077 105 1782)

• Anita Mudenda – Deputy Office Administrator (078 657 5068)

• Sitali Njamba – Security Officer (077 813 0439)

• Bangi Mpofu – Security Officer/Driver (071 936 414)

CONCLUSION

The month of March saw a marked increase in the number of public programmes and meetings facilitated by the Office of the MP. It is hoped that this progressive trend will continue during the month of April 2021. Be that as it may, it is evident that COVID-19 is set to remain as the most crucial factor during the first half of 2021. Just like last year, it has forced the Office of the MP to have a slow start to the year. However, unlike last year, the Office of the MP is already seeking ways to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on its local constituency plans and programmes. It is evident that the epidemic is here to stay and as such there is an urgent need to start adapting around it. As part of the way forward, the Office of the MP is in the process of consulting various local stakeholders in order to come up with a 2021 priorities strategy plan. The plan will help the Office of the MP to be more focused and results oriented in its approach to local community development during the year.

Thank you

May God bless you all

Thulani Moyo
PA and Spokesperson to the Office of the MP
Whange Central Constituency

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance national spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has described Mr George Charamba’s remarks about the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe as a typical reflection of the callousness of the regime he represents.

Mr Charamba, who calls himself Jamanda on Twitter, gloated over the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe on Tuesday.

Mr Charamba stunned all and sundry when he castigated Makomborero Haruvizishe and the MDC Alliance, accusing the latter of sponsoring acts of violence.

According to Advocate Mahere, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s economic quagmire.

Advocate Mahere argued:

“Mr Charamba clearly lacks the courage to associate his true identity with the abhorrent content of his tweets.

How can he then be expected to understand or respect the type of courage it takes to fight brutal regimes such as the one he represents?”

“We urgently need a return to a people’s government,” added Advocate Mahere.

By A Correspondent- There was chaos at Waterfalls Primary School in Harare last week when over 40 pupils were turned away after it emerged that their names were not on the school register after having been smuggled into class by a teacher allegedly working in cahoots with a driver.

This was discovered by the new deputy head after some teachers complained that they had about 60 pupils in one class.

An investigation by the school later revealed that a number of pupils were not registered with the school, but had been attending classes since last year.

According to an official at the school who requested anonymity, a normal class at the school ranges from 40 to 45 students depending on the size of the classroom.

Parents who spoke to NewsDay alleged that a teacher, Samuel Chitambara (27) and Fanuel Mutopo (driver), as facilitators between parents and administration, collected money ranging between US$50 and US$100 as enrolment fees, but they converted the money to their own use.

“We paid money in United States dollars and were given school bank details to pay fees. We bought uniforms and paid fees at the bank and our children went to school just for a week before they were turned away. This has been happening for the past few years, but the new staff in the admin exposed everything, we were duped,” one of the parents said.

Contacted for comment, an official at the Primary and Secondary Education ministry’s Highfield and Glen Norah district offices admitted on condition of anonymity that there were over 40 unregistered children coming in complete school uniform at the school since the opening of schools after the COVID-19 lock-
down.

“It is true that parents were deceived by Chitamba and Mutopo and were duped to pay money ranging between US$50 and US$100 per child, but we have advised all parents who are victims to report the issue to the nearest police station so that we can work together to investigate this issue,” the official said.

“The school is not in a position to refund money which was handed direct to the duo in US dollars, but those who had deposited fees in our bank accounts will be refunded.

“Some of the duped parents are police officers.”

The source added that the district set up a taskforce that was still investigating the matter and was given up to April 15 to give feedback to the Education ministry.

“A few parents are willing to cooperate, others are using emotions. I was even booed by the parents when I arrived at the school last week, which becomes difficult to investigate since parents are bitter as they demand a guarantee that their children be enrolled at the same school despite that the school has no capacity to recruit more students beyond what is required by the ministry,” one of the investigators said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Wife to the late evangelist Reverend Chiweshe, Mbuya Chwieshe has died.

Mbuya Chiweshe died this morning in Concession, Mazowe.

The development was revealed by AFM in Zimbabwe Media which said:

“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Mbuya Chiweshe the wife to the late Rev Chiweshe this morning in Concession, Mazowe District.

The late Evangelist Mbuya Chiweshe was pastoring at Mt Carmel Assembly, Chitungwiza East Province.

Her rich history in AFM is unquestionable and indeed AFM in Zimbabwe has lost a mighty woman of God.

Funeral updates will follow as we receive more information

May her soul rest in peace.”

By A Correspondent- Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira has hailed the MDC-T party led by Douglas Mwonzora for working together with the ruling Zanu PF party in the Senate.

Debating in Senate on Tuesday ahead of voting on the proposed constitutional amendments, which were overwhelmingly supported by the MDC-T, Charumbira praised the opposition party for bringing in a “new political atmosphere”.

He said:

As traditional leaders, we are a full complement, but the two political parties, from what I know and also heard in the corridors this afternoon, even if Zanu PF senators were short, the number was going to be fine because we are going to vote united, which is good for us as Zimbabweans.

It is not about how many are from Zanu PF, the chiefs council or the MDC, we will go beyond 54. That is the spirit we need,” he said.

My second point is, in the past three weeks, surely in the Senate during debates Madam President, we have a totally new political atmosphere.

It does not matter whether it is Zanu PF or MDC-T debating, there is convergence.

During the Tuesday vote, 70 senators voted for the passage of the Bill that seeks to mutilate the 2013 national constitution.

The amendment gives the President the power to appoint the chief justice, the deputy chief justice and the judge president without interviews.

Senators from both Zanu PF and MDC-T (Mwonzora, Elias Mudzuri and Khupe) and traditional leaders voted in support of the Bill.

newsday