By A Correspondent- Murowa (Pvt) Limited is reportedly terminating contracts of employment for its workers amid claims that the termination is being effected by force on the pretext that there is consensus between the affected workers and the mining giant.

According to a source privy to development, the company has not revealed why the binding contracts are being terminated and why the workers are being presented as having consented to the termination when in fact they were just told that they had been dismissed without notice.

Alleged a whistleblower:

“Murowa recently dismissed five workers who were still under contracts. Some of the employees refused to sign the termination of employment contract but were, however, told that their contracts had been terminated as of February 28, 2021.”

In an audio in our possession, Keith Mashinga who is the Human Resource Superintendent at RZM Murowa confirms to one of the employees who had his contract terminated that working at the company had ceased, without both parties agreeing to sign the mutual termination contract

“…the effective date is 28 February as the letter says…that’s the termination date,” said Mashinga in a leaked audio.

This is despite the fact that RZM Murowa Mutual Termination Of Employment Contract addressed to one of the employees, stipulates in article V on Entire agreement, that the mutual agreement can however become valid if both the employer and the employee have signed the document.

Reads part of the contract:

“This agreement constitutes the entire agreements between the employer and employee. The agreement shall become a binding document upon both parties signing this document. No variation of this agreement shall be binding unless and to the extent that the same is recorded in a written document executed by both parties.”

Speaking to this publication another employee who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that he was unfairly treated when he was dismissed without valid reasons.

“I was not notified neither did they engage me hence the decision was unilateral and lacks legal impetus. These people take us as fools. The sad thing is that they are lying that i have agreed to this termination when in actual fact they are the ones who drafted an agreement without affording me my right in terms of the Labour Act to be consulted on this issue which affects my life and future. Life is tough in the country especially during this covid- 19 period. What surprises me is that they have put forth an agreement to me as a final document and it comes without any basis on how the employer arrived at this decision and the underlying causes.”

Murowa Pvt limited is also accused of effecting unsubstantiated transfers for some of its workers in a reshuffling exercise that has seen those targeted for unfair dismissal being moved from one department to the next.

Added another worker:

“For someone to be dismissed without a basis sets the wrong precedence for all of the workers here. If there is need for a trial to assess one’s performance in accordance with the laws of the companies, every worker must be accorded that opportunity and if they have not executed their mandate as agreed in the contract, they must go through the disciplinary process instead of being fired for no apparent reason.

“If you look at all this, it seems the other Murowa is wielding an axe and wants to make it look like the affected workers have agreed to this termination when they haven’t. Its clearly a violation of the company’s initial agreement to uphold the Code of Conduct.”

Efforts to get a comment from Mashinga proved futile as he referred this reporter to the Vice President Human Resources Administrator.

“Issues to do with media correspondents are being handled by the Vice President Human Admin,” he said.

Called for comment on the matter, the Vice President Human Resources Administration for Murowa Islam Chipango was evasive on the allegations and said:

“We are speaking to them and also through their lawyers. I think to them it will not be fair, and also to us it will not be fair. So I will not make any further comments regarding that issue. They are still our employees. They were not dismissed, we are still with them. We are talking to them, through their lawyers. We actually had a meeting with them on Friday. They might not necessarily be oming to work whilst we are still discussing, but they are still our employees.

“We let the matter be managed properly through legal moves following the provisions of the Labor Act, which is what we are doing. Let’s allow the process to proceed before concluding. In any case before concluding that this is fair or not fair I think we have not yet reached a stage whereby we can say an employee was fairly or unfairly dismissed or removed No one was removed from work, Those are our employees we still have them, we are still talking to them through their lawyers.”

The arbitrary termination of an employee contract of employment by an employer outside the four corners of the law is expressly prohibited in terms of the mandatory/peremptory provisions of Section 12 (4a) of the Labour Act.

The affected workers have engaged Caleb Mucheche and Partners Law Chambers for assistance.

In a letter that Caleb Mucheche and Partners Law Chambers drafted and signed addressing RZM Murowa and was seen by this reporter, it is a violation of the constitutional labour rights for the company to dismiss employees in the name of mutual agreement when both parties have not agreed on signing.

“The employer party purported to unilaterally terminate their employment contracts under the guise of alleged mutual termination of employment in terms of Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 section 5 (c) but as a matter of fact and law there was no “mutual” termination as alleged at all.

For the avoidance of doubt, the law requires that any mutual termination of employment be in writing, agreed upon by the employer and employee parties and bear both signatures of the aforesaid consenting parties and not one party foisting it on another.”

“Suffice to underscore that our clients’ legal rights and jobs are jealously guarded from any illegal termination by Section 12B (1) of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) which categorically and equivocally provides in an instructive way that “Every employee has the right not to be unfairly dismissed.”

“In the same vein arbitrary termination of an employee contract of employment by an employer outside the four corners of the law is ex p re s s l y p ro h i b i te d i n te r m s o f t h e mandatory/peremptory provisions of Section 12 (4a) of the Labour Act.

Needless to reiterate that any unfair or unlawful termination of our clients, contracts of employment is a gross violation of their constitutional labour rights embedded in terms of Section 65 of the constitution of Zimbabwe,” read the letter.

Meanwhile Legal Practitioner Lazarus Maposa stated that the termination effected by Murowa pvt Limited failed to take into cognisence the basic rights and obligations of both parties in a contractual relationship.

“Termination on mutual agreement by any parties in an employment relationship is by no doubt one of safest forms of separation, primarily because of the mutual effect that brings the contractual protagonists at the core cause of the action.

Whilst the instant circumstances do not necessarily require the details of the contractual agreements that were subsisting at the time of termination, a basic understanding of the law is relatively sufficient enough to conclude on balance of probabilities that the termination that was effected by RZM Murowa (Pvt) Limited herein referred to as the employer failed to take regard of the basic rights and obligations of parties in a contractual relationship.

“It is common cause that the procedure for mutual termination is provided for under section 12(4a)(b) of the Labour Act, Chapter 28:01. It being a consented exercise, the law gives the parties an opportunity to exercise a collective and amicable role to discontinue with the employment relationship and to the separation packages accompanying thereof.

Whilst the law confers these rights to parties, due regard must be paid to the underlying principles that satisfy or qualifies a separation that culminates from a mutual route, and two following precautions are necessary; firstly the parties involved must be fully aware of the nature, form and legal consequences underlined thereto and secondly in doing so, the process would have been born out of meeting of minds by the parties, each one of them committing to the termination voluntarily.

“Once a termination that has been effected in the name of a mutual route fails to take due regard to the aforementioned precautionary steps, the termination becomes a unilateral decision by a single party and will not be accorded recognition as one that is born out of meeting of minds. The termination thus becomes unfair in all material respects. Having given that insight, the present circumstances swiftly draw my attention to the Supreme court case of Magodora and Others v Care International SC/91/13. Although I acknowledge that the circumstances in the cited case are distinguishable, there are pertinent remarks made by the court then and can hardly be left untold for purposes of emphasis.

The court had this to say: ‘…It is not open to rewrite a contract entered into between the parties or to excuse any of them from the consequences of a contract that they entered into freely and voluntarily accepted, even if they are shown to be onerous or oppressive…’

“The underlying principles of contract law are pertinent in the preceding remarks from the court. A binding contract is one that indicates the meeting of minds by two capacitated parties and this is often expressed through the appending of signatures .

One party thus cannot unilaterally vary an agreement to the consequence of unceremoniously rendering the other redundant without having to follow the due process that made the same come into being. In short, none of the parties will be excused for either the foreseen or the unforeseen consequences of the contracts and any form of variation should certify the tenets of our law failure for which the legal consequences will be far reaching,” said Maposa.

Maposa stated that the termination contract also lacks legal basis and that it draws the attention of Section 12B of the Labour Act which deals with unfairness in terms of dismissal.

“ I am of stern understanding that the terminations that were effected by the employer in the guise of a mutual agreement are a legal nullity, they lack the qualifications due, they suffer from legal barrenness and cannot sustain any valid argument before any competent court or tribunal of this land. Consequently the results born out of such barrenness are akin to putting nothing on something and then expect such to stand. The cause of action, the action itself together with its consequences are void ab- initio.

“I will not seek to pre-empt the legal fatalities that will obviously be suffered by the employer in this case, apparently the employer is likely to suffer the allegation of unfair dismissal, the fate for which follows the rules of the thumb. It is common cause that the consequences of unfair dismissal are far reaching and will take the two remedies one being the alternative.

At the conclusion of the case, the court is more likely than not to order reinstatement or payment of damages in the alternative and on condition that the employer is able to prove the supervening impossibility of the major.

“To sum up this I can say that a claim of unfair dismissal is bound to draw the attention of the court to Section 12B of the Labour Act, Chapter 28:01. Section 12B which deals with unfairness with regards to a dismissal will test the claim from three dimensions and them being; firstly the question of procedural or substantive defects arising from a dismissal that either does not adhere to the relevant code or chooses not to use one at all and is given in terms of section 12B (2), secondly the question of constructive dismissal given in terms of section 12B (3)(a), & lastly the question of legitimate expectation given in terms of section 12B(3)(b),” he said.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has described prominent lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu as a man with a gentle heart.

President Chamisa wrote a congratulatory message to Advocate Mpofu on his birthday.

“A gift in intellect and gentle at heart.

A great brother, honest, consistent, caring and encouraging.

So in it all; good or bad, smooth or rough, highs or lows;he appears.

Help me to celebrate this great brother Advocate Fulcrum Thabani Mpofu, on the occasion of his birthday today. #legendbirthday #Godisinit,” wrote President Chamisa on Twitter.

Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi denies MDC Alliance duo Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri bail, says no changed circumstances and they must wait for their trial on May 5 while in custody.

More to follow…

Case Alert
13 April 2021

The family of the late Paul Munakopa has sued Home Affairs Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and two police officers for causing the death of the late Bulawayo resident.

In summons filed recently at Bulawayo High Court, former ZLHR Board Chairperson and senior member Josephat Tshuma representing the Munakopa family, which includes his mother Erica Munakopa, his fiancée Tracey Mufidzi, his sister and parents and guardians of his minor children, said police officers acted negligently and caused the death of Munakopa by discharging firearms without due care and attention.

Tshuma said police officers are liable for their misconduct.

Munakopa was shot several times on 23 May 2020 in Bulawayo by ZRP officers who were travelling in an unmarked vehicle and later died as a result of injuries he sustained.

Tshuma wants Kazembe, Matanga and the police officers namely Digson Nyoni, Langton Makonye and two individuals Ross Johnson and Kyle Bennet to pay damages amounting to US$436 000 for loss of support to the Munakopa family including Paul’s minor children, emotional shock and trauma caused by witnessing the death of Munakopa.

Out of the US$436 000, US$346 000 will be for loss of support, US$50 000 will be damages for causing the wrongful death of Munakopa and US$2 735 will cover funeral and related expenses.

By A Correspondent| Former Chipinge South legislator Wilson Tarugarira Khumbula who joined Zanu PF party in 2017 and contested in the party primary elections was this week paraded as a new defector showing desperation by the ruling to perpetuate a narrative.

Kumbula who was the President of ZANU Ndonga before he moved to the ruling party was paraded among opposition supporters from Manicaland who defected including MDC Alliance’s Patrick Chitaka, Samson Sithole and Crosswell Takawira Mugombi from the National Patriotic Front (NPF).

However sources in Chipinge confirmed that Kumbula famously known as Kujokochera was among candidates who contested in the Zanu PF primary elections seeking to represent Chipinge South in the 2018 parliamentary elections.

Kumbula eventually lost to the incumbent Enock Porusingazi who won the seat beating MDC Alliance’s Clifford Hlatywayo and Jerry Moyana of MDC-T.

“Kumbula was recruited into the party by war veterans who wanted his financial muscle to wrestle the seat from Porusingazi whom they did not like, we are surprised by reports that he is said to have defected now when he was even approved to participate in primary elections,” said the source.

Zanu PF has been on an overdrive, poaching opposition supporters with notable names who have crossed the floor being MDC Alliance deputy treasurer Lilian Timveos, former Kwekwe central legislator Blessing Chebundo and Obert Gutu among others.

By A Correspondent A fifty year old woman from Binga reportedly struck her boyfriend with an axe at the back of the neck after he went to drink beer leaving her alone.

It is the state’s case that in March last year, the accused, Saria Munkombwe of Siawara village under Chief Siachilaba and Mr Gilbert Mumpande of neighbouring Siafugama village under Chief Saba fell in love and arranged to visit each other’s homestead weekly on a rotational basis.

They agreed to spend a week at Munkombwe’s homestead and the following at Mr Mumpande’s.

In October of last year, the duo arrived at Mumpande’s homestead who left in the morning to drink beer at a neighbouring village only to return around 8 pm.

Munkombwe had gone when he returned and he then followed her to her homestead that is said to be about 20 km from his.

Munkombwe came out when he knocked on the door, became violent, pushed him and went back into the house to take an axe.

She struck Mumpane on the back of the neck causing him to bleed profusely. In the morning, she took the axe and handed herself to the police.

Munkombwe pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges when she appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Mr Collet Ncube.

She was remanded out of custody on her own cognisance to April 24 for the continuation of trial.

More: Chronicle

THE Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) yesterday alleged that the Primary and Secondary Education ministry misled Cabinet into recommending the premature opening of schools on March 15, which has resulted in a surge in COVID-19 infections.

This comes at a time when the country has recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases, with most of the recorded positive cases last week being at learning institutions.

“Prince Edward High School recently recorded seven cases, Dove Secondary School in Mberengwa (40), Sacred Heart Primary School in Esigodini in Matabeleland South (117), Sacred Heart High School in Matabeleland South (114), Girls College in Bulawayo (3), Umzingwane High School in Matabeleland South (55) and Mzilikazi Primary School in Bulawayo (8),” PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said in a statement.

“The ministry misled the Cabinet into recommending the open-ing of schools prematurely. Lies have short legs as shown by a quantum leap of COVID-19 cases in schools since last month.”

“To assume that this is a result of boarding schools allowing pupils to travel over Easter holidays as Taungana Ndoro (Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson) would like us to believe is not only unfortunate but scandalous, vague and vacuous,” he said.

Ndoro said his ministry was working in collaboration with the Health ministry to contain the new COVID-19 outbreak at schools.

“In collaboration with the Health ministry, we are working tirelessly to contain the COVID-19 situation which has arisen in very few of our schools,” he told NewsDay yesterday. But Zhou said government should have consulted teachers’ unions as they were better informed about the situation on the ground.

“We, therefore, urge the government not to listen to propaganda manufactured by the ministry officials, but to sober professional trajectory from teacher unions.”

He said there was need to ur-gently test teachers, pupils and ancillary staff in schools to contain the spread of the disease.-newsday

On 15 February 2021, the World Health Organization listed the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for both emergency use and distribution via the COVAX facility. The African Regulatory Taskforce subsequently endorsed the WHO emergency use listing for this vaccine and the first shipments to Africa were initiated from the COVAX facility, with Ghana receiving the first consignment.

On 10 March 2021, the European Medicines Agency announced that four European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (batch no. ABV5300) following reports of blood clots and bleeding disorders from Austria.

Similar events were reported by additional European members states during this time and by 15 March 2021, six countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine (batch no. ABV5300), 11 countries paused their AstraZeneca vaccination campaigns entirely regardless of batch, while three countries indicated that they will continue use of the vaccine.

What do these reports mean?

Reporting of adverse events following immunization is part of the routine monitoring system put in place to ensure that vaccines remain safe and are being safely administered.

The adverse events reported from Europe are not listed as side effects associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. To date, there has been no causal link established between the administration of the vaccine and the events reported. Most importantly, the number of blood clots and bleeding disorders reported is no more than would normally occur in the population.

As a precautionary measure, some European member States have opted to either suspend use of the specific vaccine batch concerned, or to pause their vaccination campaigns with the AstraZeneca vaccine entirely as investigations are ongoing.

Statement from the European Medicines Agency (EMA)

• On the 16th of March 2021, the European Medicines Agency issued a statement that its Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is reviewing all reports of thromboembolic events occurring post vaccination.
• As of the 10th of March 2021, 30 thromboembolic events have been reported among more than 5 million people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (batch no. ABV5300) in the EU. This number of thromboembolic events is no higher than what is seen in the general population in absence of the vaccine.
• Accordingly, the PRAC position is that the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh the risks and the vaccine can continue to be administered while investigations are ongoing. The PRAC will conclude its investigations and advise on any further actions needed during an extraordinary meeting scheduled for the 18 March 2021.

Statement from the World Health Organization

• On the 17th of March 2021,7 the World Health Organization indicated that its Global Advisory Committee is carefully assessing the latest safety data regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. The World Health Organization reiterated the EMA position that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccination campaigns continue.

Statement from vaccine manufacturer, AstraZeneca

• On the 14th of March 2021,AstraZeneca noted it had undertaken a review of available safety data of more than 17 million people vaccinated in the European Union and United Kingdom. AstraZeneca found no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or thrombocytopenia in any defined age group, gender, batch or country.
• Furthermore, during clinical trials, the number of thrombotic events was small, and was lower in those receiving the vaccine as compared to those who did not. There has also been no evidence of increased bleeding in over 60,000 participants enrolled.
• AstraZeneca highlighted that during production of the vaccine, more than 60 quality tests were conducted by AstraZeneca and over 20 independent testing laboratories. There have been no confirmed issues related to any batch of the vaccine used in Europe, or the rest of the world.

AstraZeneca vaccine use in Africa

Africa is facing significant challenges in securing access to the COVID-19 vaccines needed to achieve its goal of vaccinating at least 60% of the continent’s population. As of 15 March 2021, 23.6 million doses of vaccine had been distributed on the continent. This corresponds to a continental coverage of only 1.7%. The AstraZeneca vaccine, allocated principally via the COVAX facility, accounts for 20.5 million (87%) doses and is the main vaccine used in Africa.

Africa CDC’s recommendations to AU Member States and health authorities

COVID-19 vaccines remain a strategic approach for the prevention of severe cases of and COVID-19 related deaths. Africa CDC encourages AU member States to facilitate rapid access to safe and effective vaccines that reduce COVID-19 severity and COVID-19 related hospitalizations. This is strategic for the control of the epidemic and the rapid return of the growth and development of the continent.

On Tuesday 16th of March, Africa CDC called for a special session of the African Taskforce for Coronavirus (AFTCOR), which include experts from across Africa and the world, to review the AstraZeneca situation. From the evidence available and discussed during the AFTCOR special session, Africa CDC concluded that the benefits accruable from the AstraZeneca COVID-19, continue to outweigh its risks. 

Accordingly, Africa CDC recommends:
• AU Member States continue to roll-out the AstraZeneca vaccine as part of their vaccination campaigns.
• AU Member States ensure the routine monitoring, reporting and evaluation of Adverse Events Following Immunization.
• Policy decisions pertaining to vaccination roll-out be based on evidence and thorough regulatory review processes.
Africa CDC will continue to monitor the adverse events following immunization with all the COVID-19 vaccines and provide evidence-based recommendations as the situation evolves.

–Africa CDC

By A Correspondent- A 40 year old Gokwe man fatally axed his younger brother following a dispute over who was the rightful heir of their parents’ homestead.

The accused, Khangelani Sibelo then handed himself over to the police.

Police said Sibelo had a dispute with his deceased brother, Sizani (30) and he then struck him twice with an axe killing him on the spot.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident that occurred last Friday.

Inspector Mahoko said Khangelani was expected to appear in court today for initial remand.

Mahoko also confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man from Chief Mataruse, Mberengwa after he fatally struck a fellow drinker with a chair following a dispute in a bar.

Insp Mahoko said the suspect, Lawrence Maphosa, was drinking beer inside Makandise Bottle store at Poland Business Centre, Mberengwa when he later picked up an argument with the now deceased, Godfrey Mangena.

Mahoko said:

Circumstances are that the suspect, Lawrence Maphosa was drinking beer inside Makandise Bottle store when he then struck Mr Godfrey Mangena with a steel chair in the head. Mangena suffered a fractured scalp and was rushed to Matibi Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police always urge members of the public to solve matters amicably to avoid loss of life.-statemedia

Doctors at a hospital in Cornwall in the United Kingdom believe COVID-19 helped a 61-year-old man who had recently been diagnosed with cancer to heal from the complication.

During a follow-up check on the cancer patient, doctors found that the tumours, which scans just a few weeks earlier revealed were littering his torso, had almost gone.

The patient had not yet started chemotherapy for the disease, called Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, therefore, the sudden disappearance of the cancerous cells was a complete mystery.Just a few days after receiving his diagnosis, the patient was admitted to the hospital with severe Covid-19.

It was a few weeks later that a CT scan to check his cancer revealed it had all but gone prompting his doctors to conclude that Covid-19 had destroyed his cancer by firing up his immune system enough to both see off the virus and to destroy malignant cells.

In a published report, Dr Sarah Challoner, one of the doctors treating cancer at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, said she believes that infection-fighting cells, called T-cells, fought the coronavirus and the cancer cells which they recognised as ‘foreign’.

She said:

We think Covid-19 triggered an anti-tumour immune response.

Meanwhile, Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia warns cancer patients against deliberately exposing themselves to COVID-19 to get healed. Hunter said:

The message for anyone with cancer is that, deliberately exposing yourself to Covid-19 in the hope it will heal you is much more likely to lead to your untimely demise than to a cure.

There is also a case reported last August in the journal Acta Biomedica of a 20-year-old man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who was also healed of cancer after contracting COVID-19.

In the report, doctors at Cremona Hospital in Italy reported that the patient’s cancer appeared unresponsive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy but a few weeks after testing positive for Covid-19 in early 2020, scans showed cancer had gone.

Another case was reported at the Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, Italy in February in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in which all signs of lymphoma rapidly disappeared in a 61-year-old man who caught Covid-19.

However, British experts stress that such cases of spontaneous remission are probably more likely to occur in blood cancers such as lymphoma than solid tumours, such as breast, lung or prostate.

-DailyMail

By A Correspondent- Gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refineries (FPR) improved by 54.57% in March 2021 to 1.8 tonnes from February’s 1.17t as weather conditions improved.

Mining activities across the country were affected by wet weather conditions that saw mining operations suspended after a number of mines collapsed killing miners.

It has also been argued that miners were not delivering gold to FPR due to late payment and unattractive prices.

According to Bloomberg Business, gold worth a staggering $1.5 billion is being smuggled out of the country every year.

Despite the rise in gold deliveries in March, cumulative deliveries for the quarter saw a 30.48% decline to 3.98t from the 5.72t achieved in the 2020 first quarter.

Gold is one of the major foreign currency earners for Zimbabwe, therefore, a decline is a cause for concern for the Southern African country.

Zimbabwe also gets foreign currency from diamond, platinum and agricultural products such as tobacco.

The tobacco selling season recently commenced with stakeholders expecting that this year’s produce to bring more forex because of its high-quality grade.

By A Correspondent- Former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s son, Russell Goreraza, was yesterday remanded in custody at the Concession Magistrates Courts on charges of stealing gold processing equipment at Tian Bao Mineral Industry in Mazowe.

Goreraza (37) appeared before magistrate Moreblessing Makati together with his accomplices, Paul Sithole (45), Aaron Muchenje (31) and Trymore Madzitire (36).

The four were remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.

Goreraza is Grace’s son from her previous marriage.

The complainant in the matter is Prince Danda of Number 9 Calgary Farm, Mazowe, who is employed by Tian Bao Mineral Industry (Pvt) Ltd as managing director.

Allegations are that on April 10 this year at around 7am at Tian Bao Mineral Industry (Pvt) Ltd Smithfield Farm, Mazowe Farm owned by the late former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace, Sithole, Muchenje and Madzitire dismantled a processing plant under the instructions of Goreraza.

The trio then loaded a gold smelter, ball mill, electric motor, approximately 200 ball mill metal balls, 50 ball mill liners, 20 slay pumps and 15 angle iron bars into a truck using a crane.

They were intercepted by Mazowe police and arrested.

The value of the stolen property is US$130 0000 and only property worth US$30 0000 was recovered.

Rosslyn Maurayi prosecuted.

-Newsday

By James Gwati- Suspected land Barrons in Harare South’s Southlea Park high-density suburb, at the weekend sponsored local thugs and blocked the area’s Member of Parliament, Tongai Mnangagwa from meeting with residents.

Mnangagwa was scheduled to visit the area on Saturday where he wanted to interact with residents and hear their concerns.

His failed trip was also going to be a fact-finding tour which he wanted to use to lobby for the urgent regularisation of the peri-urban setting.

According to the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trusts (ZNOART), an Apex body representing all associations and residents which had organised the visit by Mnangagwa, violent youths disrupted the tour.

“ There was a barbaric scene yesterday in Southlea park when violent youths attacked residents who were waiting to be addressed by Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa,” said ZNOART.

The residents association said the violent youths were sent by one Pfundukwa whom Southlea Park residents have been are accusing of selling stands on wetlands and on areas set aside for schools, clinics etc illegally.

By James Gwati- An Odzi family man has abandoned his home and taken his family to stay in a “sacred” mountain saying he is following God’s voice.

Ringisai Manjeese (49), his wife wife Therieza Mawoyo, as well as their four children aged 15, nine, six and two moved to the Urase Mountain in Katsunzuma Village which they now claim to be their home.

As a result, the children no longer have access to education, social life, health care and proper housing.

The Manjeeses left their home in November 2020 and have been staying in a very small one-roomed plastic shack on the Urase Mountain with no clean water and ablution facilities at the site.

Manjeese and his wife claim that they live on the principles of the Bible, which they have christened their own ‘constitution.’

The family used to stay in Chipfatsura Village under Chief Marange.

Efforts to bring Manjeese before Chief Marange’s court have failed as he has snubbed the summons on many occasions.

Chief Marange confirmed the case and said his office is in the process of making a police report. He said:

He refused to appear before my court. I have sent my aides to look for him, but they couldn’t find him. He hid from them so our next move is to involve the police.

No one is supposed to be staying in the mountains, particularly our sacred Urase Mountain.

The dread-locked Manjeese makes a living through making shoes from old car tyres.

By A Correspondent -A 50-year-old Binga woman allegedly struck her live-in boyfriend once on the head with an axe accusing him of leaving her alone at home as he went for a beer drink.

Saria Munkombwe (50) of Siawara village under Chief Siachilaba and Mr Gilbert Mumpande of neighbouring Siafugama village under Chief Saba fell in love sometime in March last year and came up with a weekly roaster whereby they would rotate visiting each other’s home.

Mr Mumoande’s age was not given.

They agreed to spend a week at Munkombwe’s homestead and the following at Mr Mumpande’s.

There is a distance of about 20km between the two villages.

Sometime in October last year, the two lovebirds arrived at Mr Mumpande’s home and the following day he left home for a booze.

She packed her bag and went back to her homestead and when he returned at night, she was gone and he followed her.

When Mr Mumpande knocked on her door, she came out and became violent.

She allegedly pushed him and he fell down before she picked an axe and struck him on the back of the head leaving him for dead.

Munkombwe pleaded not guilty to attempted murder when she appeared before Hwange regional magistrate Mr Collet Ncube.

She was remanded out of custody on her own cognisance to April 24 for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Vumizulu Mangena said the lovebirds went to Mr Mumpande’s place of residence on October 12 to spend seven days together.

The following day, Mr Mumpande left home to go and drink beer at a nearby village and returned home at around 8PM.

She had left and he followed her to her home and was attacked.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zanu PF regime to stop abusing civil servants by giving them worthless salaries in RTGS dollars.

President Chamisa also challenged the regime to respect and maintain citizens’ dignity and integrity.

Below is President Chamisa’s brief statement:

NO TO SLAVE WAGES
When the economy has dollarized with fuel, toll gates, passports being charged in US$, it is not only illogical but outrightly cruel to pay workers especially civil service salaries in worthless RTGS!!

Pay decent wages! Maintain people’s right to dignity and better life.

By James Gwati-The National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has been receiving significant blood donations since the beginning of the new school calendar in March.

The COVID-19 induced lockdown measures had a negative bearing on blood collections as it interrupted the steady flow of blood donations from high yielding panels especially schools and tertiary institutions that contribute more than 70% of blood to the national blood bank.

NBSZ communications officer Mr Ephraim Mubayi said:
‘‘Since the opening of schools there has been significant improvement on blood stocks nationally. This is mainly attributed to the support we have received from both ministries of Primary and Secondary Education and Higher and Tertiary Education who have so far granted us the letters of approval for NBSZ to access their facilities,” he said.

-Chronicle

By James Gwati-Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at the weekend paraded Chilonga traditional leadership and ordered them to order local villagers to accept his government’s anti-development grass project.

Chiwenga’s visit to Chilonga followed resistance by local villagers to pave way for a grass keeping project which the government wanted to give to a so-called investor.

“More empowerment projects are coming here, that is Chilonga Two and Chilonga Three. Again the Government is in the process of making sure that each district in the country gets at least 200 hectares under irrigation, and we expect everyone to benefit in the agriculture value chain,” Chiwenga told village heads on Sunday.

By James Gwati-Daglous Mwonzora, the president of the minor MDC-T party said he wants to join hands with President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that they work together.

Mwonzora who has of late become a darling of the state media said if Mnangagwa agrees to work with him, they will change the lives of Zimbabweans.

“We are prepared to discuss with Government,” he told the state media. 

“We are discussing with Government in Parliament anyway; we are discussing with Government in the local authorities anyway. So we need to discuss so that the lives of our people are transformed for the better.

“The MDC-T wants to work with all the stakeholders, including the Government for the betterment of the lives of the Zimbabwean people. That is why we have called for dialogue. We have a number of issues that will help to improve the lives of our people,”he said.

By James Gwati- Local government minister, July Moyo has moved to take over operations of the capital city as he plans to appoint a new Local Government Board (LGB) comprising Zanu PF apologists.

According to the state media, July Moyo said the new board would expedite the resolution of labour issues involving senior council officials and the appointment of substantive department heads in councils.

“The city (Harare) presently suffers a corporate governance malaise following the expulsion or suspension of a huge chunk of its councillors, while most senior management positions are vacant,” said Minister Moyo in a speech read on his behalf by his ministry official at the weekend.

“I want to assure you that we shall within the shortest possible time, appoint the Local Government Board so that all outstanding disciplinary cases may be concluded, while new substantive appointments are made to fill the existing gaps which are also contributing to the operational challenges presently facing the City,” he said.

The job action by City of Harare employees has deepened a sewer burst crisis that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak in Harare as residents opt to open defecation.

According to the City of Harare “the impact of the lockdown and the crippling financial impasse took their toll on the City, employees responded by withdrawing their labour over Personal Protective Equipment and allowances resulting in accumulation of unattended sewer blockages particularly within the (CBD) Central Business District and high density residential areas.”

“The Acting Director of Harare Water further reported that with regards to water distribution was limited activity due to industrial action undertaken by the workforce at Council’s various sites”, reads part of the Environmental Committee minutes.

Residents of Harare are currently grappling with unattended sewer bursts and poor water supplies, a situation that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak.

In New Tafara residents have made makeshift septic tanks that are filled with raw sewerage as the City has failed to respond to sewer chokes. “We have made these pits for sewer to flow in since we have had no response from the local authority” said a dejected woman from Tafara.

Areas such as Glen View, Budiriro and Highfields yards of houses have been flooded by unattended raw sewerage. In Glen View people affected by the sewer chokes are defecating in plastic bags and then throw at illegal dumpsites which have sprouted within the location.

The situation in most high density areas requires a serious emergency humanitarian response as it is degenerating to the total collapse of service delivery likened to the 2008 era.

Despite the fact that Council communication indicates that there has been a job action in the local authority local plumbers are citing that there is lack of rods to attend to the sewer chokes and protective clothing.

CHRA is calling for an urgent humanitarian intervention to prevent a serious health time bomb currently brewing in most high density suburbs and the City of Harare to resolve labor disputes with its employees which is another contribution to the crisis.

CHRA

By James Gwati -MDC-T leader Daglous Mwonzora has praised Zanu PF and its President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-people policies.

Mwonzora showered praises to Mnangagwa through the state media on Monday when he said that Mnangagwa’s policies such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) was going to turn around the fortunes of the country.

NDS1 is Mnangagwa’s ambitious policy which he dreams to attain what he calls Vision 2030 of achieving a middle-income economy in the next decade.

“What is important is that all the stakeholders must work together towards implementing Government policies. A good blueprint needs implementation, it needs the cooperation of everyone. All stakeholders must be involved,” said Mwonzora.

By James Gwati-MDC-T leader Daglous Mwonzora has admitted having private meetings with Zanu PF for what he said was his efforts of delivering a better Zimbabwe for citizens.

Mwonzora said this during an interview he had with the state media on Monday.
“We are prepared to discuss with Government,” he told the state media.

“We are discussing with Government in Parliament anyway; we are discussing with Government in the local authorities anyway. So we need to discuss so that the lives of our people are transformed for the better.

“The MDC-T wants to work with all the stakeholders, including the Government for the betterment of the lives of the Zimbabwean people. That is why we have called for dialogue. We have several issues that will help to improve the lives of our people,” he said.

Mwonzora is accused of working with Zanu PF, allegations which he has always been denying.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zanu PF regime to stop abusing civil servants by giving them worthless salaries in RTGS dollars.

President Chamisa also challenged the regime to respect and maintain citizens’ dignity and integrity.

Below is President Chamisa’s brief statement:

NO TO SLAVE WAGES
When the economy has dollarized with fuel, toll gates, passports being charged in US$, it is not only illogical but outrightly cruel to pay workers especially civil service salaries in worthless RTGS!!

Pay decent wages! Maintain people’s right to dignity and better life.

The job action by City of Harare employees has deepened a sewer burst crisis that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak in Harare as residents opt to open defecation.

According to the City of Harare “the impact of the lockdown and the crippling financial impasse took their toll on the City, employees responded by withdrawing their labour over Personal Protective Equipment and allowances resulting in accumulation of unattended sewer blockages particularly within the (CBD) Central Business District and high density residential areas.”

“The Acting Director of Harare Water further reported that with regards to water distribution was limited activity due to industrial action undertaken by the workforce at Council’s various sites”, reads part of the Environmental Committee minutes.

Residents of Harare are currently grappling with unattended sewer bursts and poor water supplies, a situation that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak.

In New Tafara residents have made makeshift septic tanks that are filled with raw sewerage as the City has failed to respond to sewer chokes. “We have made these pits for sewer to flow in since we have had no response from the local authority” said a dejected woman from Tafara.

Areas such as Glen View, Budiriro and Highfields yards of houses have been flooded by unattended raw sewerage. In Glen View people affected by the sewer chokes are defecating in plastic bags and then throw at illegal dumpsites which have sprouted within the location.

The situation in most high density areas requires a serious emergency humanitarian response as it is degenerating to the total collapse of service delivery likened to the 2008 era.

Despite the fact that Council communication indicates that there has been a job action in the local authority local plumbers are citing that there is lack of rods to attend to the sewer chokes and protective clothing.

CHRA is calling for an urgent humanitarian intervention to prevent a serious health time bomb currently brewing in most high density suburbs and the City of Harare to resolve labor disputes with its employees which is another contribution to the crisis.

CHRA

Suspended Zapu organising secretary Derek Katsenga has been accused of being a mole and working with Zanu-PF to lure the party into joining the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Katsenga was suspended from the opposition party last month over allegations of fanning tribalism and factionalism in Mashonaland Central province.

His suspension comes at a time when the party is inching towards its watershed elective congress which has been moved from April 30 to August.

Party insiders told Southern Eye that Katsenga had allegedly struck a deal with Zanu-PF to ensure that the incoming Zapu leader joins Polad.

“The secret deal was well at an advanced stage and it sent the party leadership into action resulting in immediate suspension of the frontman of the deal (Katsenga),” said a Zapu source.

“Several officials from some provinces had been mobilised into supporting the secret deal with one of them, Edward Chodewa openly attacking the acting party president Isaac Mabuka for allowing the suspension of Katsenga,” the source said.

After Katsenga’s suspension by Zapu secretary-general Strike Mkandla, Chodewa wrote to Mabuka protesting the decision.

But internal sources said the party was well aware that the faction that Katsenga worked with was receiving huge funding from the State in order for it to aid the agenda of a one-party State that Mnangagwa is allegedly pushing for.

Zapu spokesman Iphithule Maphosa could neither confirm nor deny the allegations levelled against Katsenga.

He said the matter had since been referred to the party’s arbitration body.

“We still maintain that any dialogue that could take place must be outside the control and instigation of Zanu-PF or Mnangagwa.

“We have prescribed the national transitional authority as the only vehicle towards a sustainable transition to a truly democratic and developmental dispensation.

“We haven’t shifted and any party official or group that deviates from this will be in violation of the very beliefs and policy positions of Zapu. On the Polad issue, Zapu does not subscribe to that cosmetic process.

“We believe in real dialogue that will pluck our country from this dictatorship and maladministration ditch.”

Katsenga on Thursday said the allegations were part of a smear campaign against him.

“The problem is that these people, who claim to be national leaders, have not been visiting the provinces for many years and when they recently visited the provinces to campaign, people did not know them.

“The provincial chairpersons asked them who they were.

“In fact there are provinces that have not seen these leaders for more than 10 years and all of a sudden they saw them coming to campaign.

“The provinces where these leaders have not been visiting are Harare, Mashonaland East, West, Central, Masvingo and Manicaland.

“They are saying I am influencing the people in these provinces just because as an organiser I am always with the people in these provinces.”

He said he was not involved in the Polad issue, adding that as the Zapu organising secretary he was also using his resources to assist the party.

He said due to the attacks on his person, the party leadership in the northern provinces was planning to boycott the congress.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Marondera on Saturday night intercepted three trucks transporting over 400 bales of second-hand clothes.

The three trucks are being held at Marondera Police Station while their drivers were detained pending investigations.

The arrested trio are Nommater Mutsanza (31), Godfrey Matimati (49) and Chengerai Gonzo (35), all of Mutare.

Officer-in-Charge (operations) in Mashonaland East province, Assistant Commissioner Amon Ndou yesterday said the suspects were arrested in Marondera along the Harare-Mutare Highway.

“Three trucks were intercepted at the 74km peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway carrying second-hand clothes, which are believed to have been smuggled. Three suspects have since been arrested,” Ndou said.

He said police in Marondera received a tip-off that there was a grey Toyota Hilux which was escorting the trucks from Mutare towards Harare.

Acting on the tip-off, the trucks were spotted by the team at Murewa turn-off before police officers alerted their colleagues who were at a checkpoint.

He said on arrival at the checkpoint, the leading truck was signalled to stop, but it did not comply, resulting in police officers firing shots and deflating its tyres.

“All the truck drivers were arrested and are currently assisting police with investigations at Marondera Central. The contraband comprising hundreds of bales is also at the same police station,” Ndou said.

Smuggling of second-hand clothes is a criminal offence in Zimbabwe.

Newsday

The job action by City of Harare employees has deepened a sewer burst crisis that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak in Harare as residents opt to open defecation.

According to the City of Harare “the impact of the lockdown and the crippling financial impasse took their toll on the City, employees responded by withdrawing their labour over Personal Protective Equipment and allowances resulting in accumulation of unattended sewer blockages particularly within the (CBD) Central Business District and high density residential areas.”

“The Acting Director of Harare Water further reported that with regards to water distribution was limited activity due to industrial action undertaken by the workforce at Council’s various sites”, reads part of the Environmental Committee minutes.

Residents of Harare are currently grappling with unattended sewer bursts and poor water supplies, a situation that has a potential of causing a serious waterborne disease outbreak.

In New Tafara residents have made makeshift septic tanks that are filled with raw sewerage as the City has failed to respond to sewer chokes. “We have made these pits for sewer to flow in since we have had no response from the local authority” said a dejected woman from Tafara.

Areas such as Glen View, Budiriro and Highfields yards of houses have been flooded by unattended raw sewerage. In Glen View people affected by the sewer chokes are defecating in plastic bags and then throw at illegal dumpsites which have sprouted within the location.

The situation in most high density areas requires a serious emergency humanitarian response as it is degenerating to the total collapse of service delivery likened to the 2008 era.

Despite the fact that Council communication indicates that there has been a job action in the local authority local plumbers are citing that there is lack of rods to attend to the sewer chokes and protective clothing.

CHRA is calling for an urgent humanitarian intervention to prevent a serious health time bomb currently brewing in most high density suburbs and the City of Harare to resolve labor disputes with its employees which is another contribution to the crisis.

By A Correspondent- Nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (formerly Harare Central Hospital) say they are continually being harassed by the hospital’s management for participating in last year’s protests over the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Some nurses including some top executives and members of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) have resigned following the alleged victimisation.

ZINA president, Mr Enoch Dongo, has since resigned from Sally Mugabe Hospital and Mr Samson Gurupira, the organizing secretary at Sally Mugabe Hospital, have also resigned from the institution.

Speaking to Health Times, Gurupira said he resigned early this year after being subjected to harassment. He added that the resignation was a way of preventing the situation from deteriorating further.

He said:

The conditions that was created by my superiors had become so unbearable. I was arrested last year in June and spent a night in the police cells for allegedly leading a demonstration against poor salaries and wages, and lack of personal protective equipment. This arrest was caused by my employer.  I was served with three different charges and a suspension letter.

Gurupira said he tried to engage authorities hoping to find an amicable way to resolve the issue but “things only got worse.”

Sally Mugabe Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Christopher Pasi dismissed the alleged victimisation reports as untrue.

He said every profession has a code of ethics and the nurses defied theirs by speaking to the media when they were not authorised to do so.

Pasi added that their remarks were untrue and when they were asked to substantiate their claims, they could not do that.

He added:

There was one of them who came out in the press and it went viral all the world. She came out saying the National Reference Laboratory at the Sally Mugabe was falsifying COVID-19 results.

He said the claims were detrimental to the institution but the nurse failed to substantiate her claims.

He described the nurses’ actions as “just insubordination,” adding that they just don’t want to be asked to account for their actions.

More: Health Times

The ruling Zanu PF party has begun preparations for by-elections, although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) recently announced that it had indefinitely postponed elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zanu PF has already rolled out campaigns in Manicaland province, where two candidates were chosen to represent the party in the impending elections to replace Dangamvura Chikanga MP Prosper Mutseyami and Mutasa South MP Regai Tsunga of the MDC Alliance, who were recently recalled by the rival MDC-T.

Last year, Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga published Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A of 2020, which indefinitely postponed all by-elections citing COVID-19 fears.

However, other countries have successfully conducted elections during the COVID-19 era.

Analysts have said SI 225A of 2020 is ultra vires section 68 of the Public Health Act or sections 158 and 159 of the Constitution, as well as the Electoral Act.

Despite the ban, the Zanu PF Manicaland province is already preparing for parliamentary and local authority by-elections.

Zanu PF Manicaland chairperson Mike Madiro told a party provincial coordinating committee meeting yesterday that the party was preparing for the by-elections.

“I would like to say that we have by-elections that are coming and what is only left is for our President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the dates,” he said.

“In Mutasa South, people in the constituency agreed that Misheck Mugadza should represent the party as the candidate for MP in the by-elections, and in Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency, there is comrade Esau Mupfumi, who will represent the party. We gave people five months to submit their curriculum vitaes, but no one else did so.

“Unfortunately, after the five months, there are some individuals who have started giving us their CVs, but what we are saying is that we follow party direction first.”

Madiro said the ruling party was hoping to win seven wards in Mutare after seven MDC Alliance councillors were recalled by the MDC-T.

More than 40 MDC Alliance MPs and around 80 councillors lost their parliamentary and council seats after they were recalled by the MDC-T and the People’s Democratic Party led by Lucia Matibenga.

The MDC-T has since filled in more than 15 National Assembly and Senate seats that were occupied by proportional representation MPs.

Constituency seats will need to be filled in through by-elections.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- An opposition MDC-T senator last Thursday said teachers who were not reporting for work should leave employment and let unemployed qualified teachers take over.

Masvingo senator Tichinani Mavetera asked Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, who is also leader of the Senate, to explain government policy on striking teachers.

“Mr President, teachers are now striking or giving threats. My question is: if government is negotiating with the representatives of workers, are they open to each other because right now people are tired in the country?

“There are endless talks between government and the teachers. If they cannot accept what is being given by government, they must retire and leave an opportunity for qualified teachers who are not practising,” Mavetera said.

Mutsvangwa, who responded on behalf of the Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema, said government was committed to improving the working conditions of teachers and to ensure normal learning at schools.

“Government is trying its best to see that teachers are well-paid and is open to negotiate with its citizens. Children must be educated. Salaries continued to be paid during the COVID-19 lockdown, which shows the government’s commitment. Therefore, the teachers must also work together with the government. If our children fail to go to school, we have failed generations to come,” she said.

“Our country, Zimbabwe, is known for better education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation rated Zimbabwe as number one in Africa. Therefore, as Zimbabweans, we must focus on this issue (education) so that we know what legacy we are trying to leave for this country.”

Mutsvangwa said 90% of the teaching staff was attending lessons.

Since last year, teachers have been on industrial action demanding to be paid between US$520 and US$550 which they used to get in 2018, or its equivalent.

Last week, civil servants rejected a 70% salary hike offered by their employer.

Civil servants have since pleaded incapacitation and resolved that they will only report to work twice per week.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has escalated its bakery project throughout the rural areas in the country, with women in some districts, saying that they have started realising the benefits of the project.

The ruling party introduced the bakery project in 2019 in an effort to economically capacitate women.

However, at the inception of the bakery project, Zanu-PF was under fire for implementing Stone Age projects which use mud ovens powered by firewood.

Women interviewed by NewsDay in Mangwe district in Matabeleland South said their project at Vukuzenzele in Ward 1 had been successful.

But evidence on the ground shows that most of the bakery projects in urban areas around the country collapsed as the old-model ovens could not mass produce.

Women Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the bakery projects in rural areas had changed the lives of women.

She said the projects were using both old and modern baking methods to enable the women to make prompt returns.

“In Mangwe, the villagers used infrastructure that is made of metal, that is the old traditional way, but with improved technology, which is the modern way. They now use baking stoves,” Nyoni said.

“In a day, women bake two to three dozen loaves of bread. Bakery projects are quick and efficient and they have created employment for the women, thus bringing them income,” she said.-Newsday

Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trusts (ZNOART), an Apex body representing all associations and residents alleges that violent youths disrupted a residents association and Tongai Mnangagwa (Harare South Member of Parliament) tour in Southlea Park.

The was a barbaric scene yesterday in Southlea park when violent youths attacked residents who were waiting to be addressed by the Member of Parliament for Harare South Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa.

The lawmaker was set to meet and address Southlea Park residents at an event organized by ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF ASSOCIATIONS AND RESIDENTS TRUSTS(ZNOART).The program aimed to address the issues of service delivery and infrastructure development that have been a cause of concern in Southlea Park and Harare in general.

Last year the president H.E ED Mnangagwa declared war on land barons followed by a land commission that aimed to address the issue of land barons and several people have been arrested.

Land barons are distributing land set aside for schools, clinics and sometime doing double allocations of stands this is being done illegally, well-known land barons are using their political muscles to protect their illegal dealings.

ZNOART organised a tour accompanied by Hon Tongai Mnangagwa to Southlea park to get first-hand information on the issue of land barons and to address the issue of Regularisation of stands. Southlea Park residents were gathered near Candy shops waiting for the lawmaker and ZNOART executive, at around 9 in the morning violent youths led by a man only identified as Nhakiwa arrived at the venue holding empty bottles, sticks and stones. They displaced the gathering and assaulted local residents association leaders and reportedly told them that Southlea park is a no go area.

The youth are said to have been sent by Pfundukwa whom Southlea Park residence are accusing of selling stands on wetlands and on areas set aside for schools, clinics etc illegally. The residence are believing that the attack was meant to stop ZNOART and Hon Mnangagwa from exposing the situation on the ground.

Below is a statement issued in ZNOART WhatsApp group
……….
Good afternoon ZNOART Family and fellow residents Just a report back from the ZNOART family on yesterday’s programme and meeting. Because of disturbances which happened in Harare South, we couldn’t take the MP to the TOUR as anticipated. The ZNOART officials had to take cover at Mbudzi police station. However, we later caught up with the MP who has promised to address all the Harare South issues on our Saturday programme called ZNOART OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT NEXT SATURDAYs.