Police in Manicaland Province have launched investigations into the murder of two minors in Sambaza Village, Chief Mutasa in Nyanga.

The bodies had deep cuts on the necks and shocked villagers had alleged that the minors’ heads were missing.

It however emerged, after the police arrived at the scene where the bodies were found that the two minors had all their body parts.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the bodies of the two minors were found in a disused toilet pit with deep cuts on their necks.

They had been missing since Tuesday when they left home for school and villagers began searching for them when they did not return home.

Said Asst Insp Nyathi:

The ZRP is investigating two cases of murder that occurred at Sambaza Village, Chief Mutasa Nyanga on 14/04/21 where two minors were found dead in a disused toilet pit.

The victims left home for school on 13/04/21 and never returned prompting a search.

Meanwhile, the bodies were retrieved from the pit and deep cuts were observed on their necks.

All other body parts were intact but with blood-stained uniforms.”

The bodies were ferried to Nyanga Hospital awaiting post mortem.

By A Correspondent- Human rights defender Owen Dhliwayo has said the reintroduction of the National Youth Service (NYS) has the potential to bring more harm than good for the country ahead of the impending elections slated for 2023.

Dhliwayo’s comments comes amid indications by government that the National youth service was set to be reintroduced nationally.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa on Tuesday told a post Cabinet press briefing in Harare that the NYS initiative was important in nurturing young people into becoming responsible and resilient citizens.

Said Dhliwayo:

The reintroduction of the youth militia under the guise of the national youth services is a bad move when we take a look at how it is configured.

The program by its concept is a noble idea but past experiences have taught us that the methodology and training methods that it employed served a destruction purpose which benefitted a particular political party. It has never been about the nation neither has it served any nationalistic purpose.

He added that there is a total shift from the core principles and values of the national youth service where certain political parties use it to maintain political hegemony.

He said:

“In essence, the program should serve the nation because it is not about a particular political party. If government is going to use the same format that we have witnessed in the past, it is a very bad move by the authorities.

Before reintroducing it, they should have engaged and consulted wider in order to come up with a broad based curriculum that is to be implemented. Stakeholders should have an input. For example, the same way that the parliamentary portfolio committees engage citizens on the various proposed Bills, government should have also consulted wider and get people’s views on how they want this to be structured and how it will be approached.

Responding to a question from ZimEye on whether government has the capacity to effectively run the national youth service centres, Dhliwayo said:

“The government has no capacity to run these centres. Look at the social infrastructure in schools, hospitals and even government building, they are in a sorry state. They will take the youths and dump them there without adequate infrastructure available. We have a broke government which is at pains to fund even the simplest of services and they want to reintroduce such a program. They have no capacity.”

Communications expert and consultant Professor Teddy Mungwari echoed the same sentiments adding that the introduction of the national youth service was not necessary as the nation was already grappling with more important issues including a failing economy, unemployment, poor health delivery system and the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“The notion of a youth service is important but there is a lot of abuse that goes on. If you look at past experiences, the green bombers were used to terrorize people during elections and that in itself is not welcome to the nation. They harass, intimidate people in their regalia and they are used as Zanu Pf’s terror militia. A political party does not own it but here we have Zanu Pf abusing it. They are supposed to protect the citizens and not a political party.”

Professor Mungwari said the development also reflected that government had misplaced priorities.

“At the moment, we are battling Covid-19 and we have been begging for masks and even sanitisers for schools but we have a government wanting to reintroduce something that is not really necessary. Why do we even need them? What service do they give to the country? Is it because political parties are preparing for the 2023 elections?

In the past, these youths lived in deplorable conditions where they did not even have adequate food. Maybe we will give them the benefit of doubt because they may have reflected on past failures but for them again to say after training, the youths are automatically the right candidates and they get first preference for particular government trainings such as nursing and teaching is also discriminatory and a violation of the Constitution. All youths regardless of whether they have undergone the trainings must be given equal opportunities. Why should these ones be prioritised?

What government must know is that you do not teach patriotism at a particular institution or college. Patriotism is inherent. So I think when Border Gezi started this thing, he was overzealous and over ambitious. The way that it was done, its curriculum was misinformed and after all, these youths were used for election violence.

We now know that later, the former minister and Zanu Pf Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere to be precise employed them and they were put under public service without any specific jobs where they were actually getting a salary. Recently, if its not 2 years ago, we hear that they were removed but it is not surprising that some may to date still be receiving salaries when they are not even employed anywhere.

How transparent and authentic is it that these “ghost workers” are no longer there? Some even got undue benefits from government while some, at some point were given huge amounts of paraffin. Others walked away with huge monies from Cabs under youth empowerment initiatives for non- existent projects. These monies were used on drugs, girlfriends. We know that Kasukuwere used these youths to siphon money from government. It’s just looting. This is just plain looting.”

NYS was first introduced in 2000 as a brainchild of the late former Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation Minister, Border Gezi.

However, it is documented that the youths allegedly unleashed a reign of terror in rural areas, targeting opposition activists in the run-up to elections in the early 2000s.

The “Green Bombers,” as they are derisively called due to their all-green uniforms, were accused of committing some of the most heinous of crimes against MDC members during the later part of the late Robert Mugabe’s reign.

By A Correspondent- Villagers in Insuza, Matabeleland North province, are embroiled in a nasty land dispute which has spilled to a traditional court.

The brawl started after villagers resolved to subdivide Khemutso Ncube’s land in ward 11, village 1B and allocate part of it to Solomon Ngwenya.

At the end of March, the villagers met and agreed to divide Ncube’s land so that part of it is given to Ngwenya.

The decision was made without Ncube’s consent and he resisted the move.

“They did not respect us enough to ask if we agreed to the division of our land. Instead, they commanded that it must be divided,” Ncube said.

“People in this village are so disrespectful. When I came here 20 years ago, there was nothing but a forest. My children and I cleared this very land with our own hands. I nurtured this land, put a fence around it and now that it’s producing fruits of my own labour; they want to take it from me without even regarding my opinion. That will never happen.”

Following Ncube’s resistance, the villagers took the matter to the village head for resolution.

Ngwenya said he never asked for the land, but villagers were insisting that Ncube’s land should be split so that they parcel part of it out to him.

“The people saw me clearing land where I wanted to start my own field and they stopped me saying the land I was clearing was not meant for farming.

“How or what made them to call for a meeting for my sake, I do not know,” Ngwenya said.

Village head Lucky Sibanda said he was aware of the matter.

“My job is to address people’s issues and this was one of the issues that came to me.

“As their leader, I had to help find a solution.

“I summoned all the villagers to a meeting in which Ncube stormed out of in anger, promising to take whoever wants to take his land to court,” Sibanda said.

He said after the meeting, the matter was put to rest as Ncube refused to divide his land as he had a right to accept or reject the deal.

Newsday

Chitungwiza Municipality, works department using a scooter to carry pit sand to repair potholes on roads. Chitungwiza Municipality

PIC Credit: CHITREST

By A Correspondent- Government has announced new producer prices for commercial crops for the 2021/22 marketing season.

Sugar beans will be sold at $90 000 per metric tonne, groundnuts ($40 000), sunflower ($40 000), nyimo ($50 000), popcorn ($42 000), cow peas $32 500 and Sesame seeds ($70 000).

“The producer prices are to be implemented with immediate effect,” the Grain Marketing Board operations director Forward Takaindisa said in a circular to the parasatatal’s regional managers and accountants, depot managers and marketing officer.

The GMB last month indicated that the maize producer price would remain at $32 000 per tonne effected last year.

By A Correspondent- Harare lawyer and MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere says Zimbabwe’s youths do not need to be sent to military indoctrination camps but an economy that allows them to thrive.

Mahere’s remarks come after the government announced that it was reviving the infamous National Youth Service (NYS) training programme after its suspension in 2018. 

Young people don’t need a military indoctrination camp. Young people need an economy that allows them to thrive, an education system that fosters creativity, tech hubs, art centres, modern sporting facilities, recreational facilities & Govt that doesn’t declare war on aspiration.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa told a post Cabinet press briefing in Harare on Tuesday that the NYS initiative was important in nurturing young people into becoming responsible and resilient citizens.

NYS was first introduced in 2000 as a brainchild of the late former Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation Minister, Border Gezi.

The youths allegedly unleashed a reign of terror in rural areas, targeting opposition activists in the run-up to elections in the early 2000s.

The “Green Bombers,” as they are derisively called due to their all-green uniforms, were accused of committing some of the most heinous of crimes against MDC members during the later part of the late Robert Mugabe’s reign.

By A Correspondent- Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa is expected to launch the Digital Terrestrial Television this morning in Magunje.

Minister Mutsvangwa is accompanied by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, Information Deputy Minister, Kindness Paradza, Information Ministry permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana.

Zimpapers board chairman, Mr Tommy Sithole and chief executive, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke are also in attendance.

Other dignitaries present include Broadcasting Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and Transmedia Zimbabwe officials.

The launch will see Zimbabwe move from analogue broadcasting to digital.-statemedia

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to open a single lane bridge in Karanda as he continues his unpresidential approach of officially opening anything including a mortuary in Gutu.

The bridge which is 180 metres long, crosses over Ruya River and will significantly reduce distance between Bindura and Mt Darwin according to information secretary Nick Mangwana.

Mnangagwa has in the past officially opened a mortuary in Gutu, a 20 kilometre stretch of Harare- Beitbridge road and officially handed over new coaches to ZUPCO among other minor projects he has presided over.

By A Correspondent- The number of people who are admitted after testing Covid-19 positive in Zimbabwe has gone down with statistics showing that only 36 of the 855 who are infected are hospitalised.

Owing to effective lockdown regulations and the successful roll out of the Covid-19 vaccines, admissions have dropped from 200 in February to an average of 40 this month. From its outbreak on March 21 last year, Covid-19 has claimed 1 543 Zimbabweans. However, a total of 24 782 people who contracted the virus have recovered while the total cumulative cases stand at 37 330.

As of April 12, there were 36 hospitalised cases in the whole and of those three are asymptomatic, 19 are mild to moderate 19, nine are severe 9 and five are in Intensive Care Units.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care said 13 241 people received their first dose on Tuesday bringing the cumulative total for those who have received the first dose to 218 516.

A total of 535 people received their second dose bringing their total number to 29 839. In a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the decrease in admissions was encouraging although the battle against Covid-19 has not yet been won.

“Generally, hospital admissions for Covid-19 cases have decreased, resulting in institutions such as the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals reclaiming areas in the Out-Patient Department for routine service provision. However, the Cabinet is advising citizens to maintain a high level of alertness and adhere to the preventive measures already in force,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

This includes during the impending 41st Independence Day Anniversary, when gatherings of more than 50 persons will also be prohibited.”

She also said school authorities and heads must ensure that boarders do not travel during the forthcoming holiday to avoid an upsurge in infections.

“In order to protect learners during the forthcoming holiday and avoid the Covid-19 infection spike as happened over the Christmas and New Year holidays, Cabinet has directed that all learners at boarding schools remain at their respective schools during the Independence holiday in order to avoid travel congestion and minimise chances of contracting the virus” she said.

“Cabinet noted that due to the strong Covid-19 surveillance system being implemented in schools, last week’s outbreak at Sacred Heart School in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province was easily detected and dealt with. Out of the 248 students and 33 teachers tested, 117 were found to be Covid-19 positive,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“All the cases are mild, and are isolating at the school for the learners or at home for the teachers. Response activities that include contact tracing and strengthening of all Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines are in progress.”

Cabinet also heard that Government is awaiting delivery of 600 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines following completion of procurement processes.

“In addition, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has granted authority to purchase 5 million more doses of vaccines. Steps are being taken to increase the number of people to be vaccinated across the provinces, particularly in hotspot areas in Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West, Harare and Manicaland Provinces,” she added.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Listed retail giant OK Zimbabwe Limited will resume its Grand Challenge competition this year after foregoing it last year due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown restrictions.

It will be the 32nd edition and the first Grand Challenge held with Maxen Karombo as the new chief executive.

“The OK Grand Challenge has been cancelled for two years, once in 2009 due to the economic crisis which left shelves empty within all supermarkets, and in 2020 due to the pandemic. We saw it fit to not do such an event,” Karombo said.

The OK Grand challenge will be run through the use of digital media in line with COVID-19 safety precautions.

“The COVID-19 has brought with it a significant use of media and a shift in the way our customers and shoppers behave,” Karombo said.

“It is to this extent that the OK Grand Challenge jackpot promotion in 2021 will be executed digitally.

“A digital promotion will reduce paper in the form of receipts and coupons and the draw will be computerised, thereby assisting in curbing the risk of spreading the virus. The health of our customers is our priority.”

There are five different prizes to be won at the grand challenge, with the ultimate prize being a brand new Toyota Hilux GD-6 twin-cab.

OK Zimbabwe’s business covers three major categories – groceries, basic clothing and textiles and houseware products.

The groceries category includes dry groceries, butchery, delicatessen, takeaway, bakery, provisions and fruit and vegetable sections.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday hinted that by-elections may be held soon and called on Zanu-PF to get prepared, while observing World Health Organisation (WHO) safety guidelines on COVID-19.

Mnangagwa told his Zanu-PF party politburo members that they should leave nothing to chance in ensuring victory in the upcoming by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections.

His statement came at a time when the opposition MDC Alliance, independent electoral watchdogs and stakeholders have been pressuring government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to lift the ban on by-elections imposed by Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga last year citing COVID-19 fears.

While opposition party gatherings have been crushed by police, Mnangagwa’s party has been able to hold meetings, raising suspicion that COVID-19 rules were being applied selectively.

“Preparations for by-elections must be conducted within the confines of internal democratic practices and provisions of our party constitution, while at the same time observing WHO protocols,” Mnangagwa said.

Most by-elections were necessitated by the recall of MDC Alliance MPs and councillors by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T after the Supreme Court in March last year nullified Nelson Chamisa’s leadership of the MDC-T. Since then, 41 MDC Alliance MPs and over 80 councillors have been recalled by both MDCT and Lucia Matibenga’s People’s Democratic Party.

Mnangagwa called for activation of Zanu-PF party structures so that they prepare for the elections.

“Structures must remain intact. We cannot approach the next election with an assumed membership base. It is fundamental that we know the figures of those who will potentially vote for us at disaggregated ward, constituency and provincial levels. Nothing must be left to chance,” he said.

“The 2023 harmonised general elections are fast approaching. Let us, therefore, continue tightening our belts and diligently implementing programmes with a greater sense of urgency.

“Our people and party membership must be kept informed, mobilised and motivated to be productive towards improving their plight and the achievement of the goals we set out in the 2018 people’s manifesto.”

MDC Alliance secretary for elections Jacob Mafume said: “The tragedy is he (Mnangagwa) is undermining the Constitution everyday. By-elections are supposed to operate by operation of law. Every other country in the region has been holding elections and by-elections when they are due despite the presence of COVID-19. It is only in this country where we have suspended the operation of democracy because of a biological disease,” Mafume said.

“They are the ones who have been running away from the people. We are ready and we will beat them in the by-elections,” Mafume said.

Mnangagwa applauded the Zanu-PF’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology for implementing a “comprehensive and robust training programme for the district co-ordinating structures and new cadres joining the party”.

He warned divisive elements in his party that they would be exposed and flushed out if they continued disrespecting the party constitution.

“The ideals of our party, particularly patriotism, loyalty, discipline and honesty must remain engrained in all of us. There is no room for malicious divisive, corrupt and retrogressive tendencies within our rank and file membership,” he said.

“Such elements should be exposed,” he added.

On the terror attacks in Palma, Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, Mnangagwa said Sadc was acting on technical deployment and urged his party structures to be on high security alert to avoid attacks.

“An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, united we stand and hence, we cannot sit back and allow acts of insurgency to continue without a robust regional response.

“Last week, I, therefore, attended the Sadc Double Troika Summit in Mozambique, where the regional bloc resolved to immediately make technical deployments towards restoring peace and stability,” Mnangagwa said.

“Government is currently working with the Mozambican authorities to establish the number of our nationals who were entrapped during the attack of Palma town, on March 24 2021.

“Against this disturbing background, the party structures across all provinces must ensure that our communities are on high security alert. Let us continue to jealously guard the peace and stability that is existing in our country.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Hungry villagers in Karoi reportedly looted bread from a Lobels delivery truck that had been involved in an accident.

The Lobels vehicle killed three people on the spot after it collided with a haulage truck at Buffalo Downs, a few kilometres outside Karoi at around 6 am.

Said the Zimbabwe Republic Police in a statement:

“The ZRP confirms a [road traffic accident] which occurred today at 184 km peg along Harare-Chirundu Road where a foreign registered truck was involved in a head-on collision with a bakery truck. As a result of the accident, 3 people died on the spot. More details to follow.”

 By A Correspondent- A Harare man was yesterday sentenced to two months imprisonment for offering courier services to the public without a licence.

Benson Masawi (28), who appeared before magistrate Tendai Muchina was convicted on his own plea of guilty.

Masawi was also given an option to pay a $20 000 fine.

The complainant, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), was represented by Courier Services executive officer Taurai Makuvise.

The court heard that Masawi offered postal and courier services without a licence and had opened an office at the corner of Mbuya Nehanda Street and Speke Avenue.

The informant received information on April 6 that Masawi was collecting parcels from Harare earmarked for dispatch to Bulawayo.

The informant then made a report to the police and a team of detectives with the members of Potraz stormed his offices and recovered several parcels which had been paid for and were ready to be delivered to various clients in Bulawayo.

Caroline Mutimusakwa appeared for the State.-newsday

By James Gwati-The Zimbabwe National Army Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda has been implicated in series of robbery cases in Mashonaland west province, his office has confirmed and said that the cases were committed by fake soldiers. 

In a statement, ZNA spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said they have received numerous reports of such criminal activities.

“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to alert members of the public that a gang of armed robbers is on the prowl in Mashonaland West province,” Makotore said.

“The robbers are using the names of the ZNA and ZRP [Zimbabwe Republic Police] to dupe unsuspecting victims of their valuable property. They gain access into private premises upon production of fake search
warrants.”

He added: “The fake warrants are purportedly signed by the Commander Defence Forces claiming the bearer has authority to search premises or individuals and seize any articles which may lead to acts of terrorism.

“Unsuspecting members of the public have resultantly been robbed and there have been a number of reports of such robberies through the use of such fake search warrants in Chegutu, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Christon Bank and Mazowe.”

By A Correspondent | It never rains but pours for Senator Douglas Mwonzora and this time his own High Court litigant, speaks on video ordering him to return the $6million he received from parliament last year.

This is the lumpsum Mwonzora received from the Speaker Of Parliament Jacob Mudenda which was meant to be paid to MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa.

Murimoga is also Mwonzora’s point man who took the late Morgan Tsvangirai to the High Court arguing that his Presidential appointments of Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri were unconstitutional.

But after Mwonzora converted ‘to his own use’ the parliament money amounting to $6million, Murimoga is one of those party workers now left stranded with neither salary nor allowance for several months since last year.

Murimoga has due to his demands, been accused of fronting for Nelson Chamisa, allegations of which he replies saying Mwonzora is simply lying.

Speaking in a selfie video, Murimoga says: “right now you are now lying saying I’m funded by Nelson Chamisa.

“Chamisa is an outsider, when you took the $6mln Chamisa wasn’t there. So just repay the money…we might chose to forgive you …” VIDEO

By James Gwati- The government is neglecting over 400 inmates with mental illness who have been under this sad condition for the past 10 years.

The affected inmates are stuck at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) centres across the country following delays by the Mental Health Board in reviewing their cases for possible release.

The ZPCS’ major mental health institutions are Mlondolozi at Khami Prisons in Bulawayo and Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare.

Some of the prisoners have since recovered and are now eligible for release and reintegration into society. However, the Mental Tribunal Board which has the mandate to determine the release of these inmates through fitness evaluation, has not sat for the past 10 years resulting in congestion as the numbers continue ballooning.

Section 68 of the Mental Health Act provides for the establishment of mental health boards.

-Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF heavyweights are quaking in their boots following the bold declaration by MDC leader President Nelson Chamisa that the popular movement’s main objective is to win power.

In a strong statement released on Tuesday, President Chamisa accused Zanu PF of refusing to “pass on power after losing elections.”

President Chamisa urged citizens to assume a common position in the struggle for freedom.

“WE ALWAYS WIN ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE!

We’ve always won elections but without winning power.

They lose elections but refuse to lose or pass on power. That we must and will fix. We must do it. It’s not easy but it must happen.

No matter what they say or do, we will win any election in this country. Our key task is to win elections and win power.Every citizen must play their part and take responsibility. We need to the BEST and GREATEST country that we truly are. Let’s do it. Let’s win together! #Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on Facebook.

By James Gwati-A Harare Woman, Vongai Zimudzi has petitions government through Local Government Minister, July Moyo for causing residents to stand in queues for long hours waiting for ZUPCO buses.

Zimudzi said the government should avail more buses to the public so that they do not wait for long queueing for the scarce transport.

By A Correspondent-President Mnangagwa has approved amnesty on prisoners serving lighter sentences or who have served over one-third of their sentences following a request by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).

“His Excellency, the President has today signed our request to offer amnesty to some prisoners. What is only left is to gazette the new order so that we may be able to release those who qualify,” ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu., told the state media in Beitbridge Tuesday.

“His Excellency, the President has today signed our request to offer amnesty to some prisoners. What is only left is to gazette the new order so that we may be able to release those who qualify,” said Commissioner-General Chihobvu.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Three Lobels Limited employees died on the spot along Harare-Chirundu highway near Karoi River some 15 kilometres from Karoi when their delivery truck collided with a haulage truck early this morning.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyati could not be contacted for comment but witnesses said the haulage truck which was coming from Zambia tried to overtake before colliding with the delivery truck headed towards Karoi.

When the state media arrived at the accident scene, police and fire tender from Karoi were retrieving the trapped bodies while the driver of the haulage truck was said to have been taken to Karoi Hospital where he is in a stable condition.

The deceased had also been taken to Karoi Hospital mortuary.
-Herald

By James Gwati- The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) said it has launched a new rehabilitation program for dangerous inmates.

This was revealed to the state media by the ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu in Beitbridge Tuesday during his ongoing prisons familiarization national tour.

Chihobvu said the newly introduced course on Peace and Education would be incorporating the rehabilitation of D class inmates.
Class D inmates are the ones serving long-term sentences ranging from seven years and above, including those who would have committed serious crimes some of which include murder, armed robbery, fraud, or rape, among others.

“We are now a correctional and rehabilitation service provider and hence we are carrying along everyone as we seek to build a peace-loving community,” he said.

“This Peace and Education course will benefit all the inmates who were previously being overlooked so that they may be able to find their feet and live better lives post-prison life,” he said.

By James Gwati-The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) said some armed robbers were using Army Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda’s signature in their criminal operations.

In a statement, ZNA spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said they have received numerous reports of such criminal activities.
“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to alert members of the public that a gang of armed robbers is on the prowl in Mashonaland West province,” Makotore said.

“The robbers are using the names of the ZNA and ZRP [Zimbabwe Republic Police] to dupe unsuspecting victims of their valuable property. They gain access into private premises upon production of fake search
warrants.”

He added: “The fake warrants are purportedly signed by the Commander Defence Forces claiming the bearer has authority to search premises or individuals and seize any articles which may lead to acts of terrorism.

“Unsuspecting members of the public have resultantly been robbed and there have been several reports of such robberies through the use of such fake search warrants in Chegutu, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Christon Bank and Mazowe.”

-NewsDay

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF heavyweights are quaking in their boots following the bold declaration by MDC leader President Nelson Chamisa that the popular movement’s main objective is to win power.

In a strong statement released on Tuesday, President Chamisa accused Zanu PF of refusing to “pass on power after losing elections.”

President Chamisa urged citizens to assume a common position in the struggle for freedom.

“WE ALWAYS WIN ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE!

We’ve always won elections but without winning power.

They lose elections but refuse to lose or pass on power. That we must and will fix. We must do it. It’s not easy but it must happen.

No matter what they say or do, we will win any election in this country. Our key task is to win elections and win power.Every citizen must play their part and take responsibility. We need to the BEST and GREATEST country that we truly are. Let’s do it. Let’s win together! #Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on Facebook.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF heavyweights are quaking in their boots following the bold declaration by MDC leader President Nelson Chamisa that the popular movement’s main objective is to win power.

In a strong statement released on Tuesday, President Chamisa accused Zanu PF of refusing to “pass on power after losing elections.”

President Chamisa urged citizens to assume a common position in the struggle for freedom.

“WE ALWAYS WIN ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE!

We’ve always won elections but without winning power.

They lose elections but refuse to lose or pass on power. That we must and will fix. We must do it. It’s not easy but it must happen.

No matter what they say or do, we will win any election in this country. Our key task is to win elections and win power.Every citizen must play their part and take responsibility. We need to the BEST and GREATEST country that we truly are. Let’s do it. Let’s win together! #Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on Facebook.

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been banned for eight years after being charged with – and admitting to – five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code, including accepting a payment in bitcoins from a potential corruptor.

Streak, Zimbabwe’s greatest fast bowler, had been under investigation for an extensive list of games through 2017 and 2018, during his post-playing career as a coach, from his time in international cricket – with Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2018 – as well as stints in T20 leagues including the IPL, the BPL and the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).

The charges paint a picture of Streak as a facilitator of approaches by a corruptor to people within teams he was a part of. But they also include one charge of disclosing inside information pertaining to matches during a 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.

Streak was also charged with facilitating or attempting to introduce four players – including a national captain – to a potential corruptor. The three other charges revolve around his failure to disclose receiving gifts or payment in lieu of this facilitation, the failure to disclose potentially corrupt approaches in the 2017 BPL, and, in 2018, the PSL, IPL and the APL. Those gifts include accepting two bitcoins – converted eventually into US$ 35,000 – from the potential corruptor identified in the ICC’s investigation as Mr X. At the APL, Streak was also gifted a new iPhone for this wife, both of which he failed to disclose to ICC anti-corruption investigators.

Although he is believed to initially have contested the allegations, Streak eventually admitted to the charges and agreed to the sanctions. He is now banned from all cricket activities and would be free to resume his involvement again on March 28, 2029.

“Heath Streak is an experienced former international cricketer and national team coach, who had participated in numerous anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code,” the ICC’s anti-corruption head Alex Marshall said in a statement. “As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game. He breached the Code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.

“The offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches and Mr Streak has agreed to assist the ICC anti-corruption education programme for which we are grateful. He has also expressed his remorse and contrition and entered this agreed sanction decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process. The sanction reflects this cooperation.”

The sanctions will come as a shock to many given his status as one of the greatest players Zimbabwe has produced. He was a major figure in the national sides of the mid-to-late 90s, a period in which they enjoyed their greatest successes. He remains the only Zimbabwean bowler with more than 100 Test wickets (he has 216) and the only Zimbabwean with over 200 ODI wickets (237). Streak captained Zimbabwe as well in the 2000s, during a difficult periods when a number of players withdrew from the national side and as relations between the board and team hit rock bottom.

He has since remained in cricket as a coach, with stints as bowling coach of Bangladesh and multiple stints with Zimbabwe. He was also bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

The charges

2.3.2 – disclosing inside information under both the ICC code and various domestic codes, in circumstances where he knew or should have known that such information may be used for betting purposes. In particular, he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018.

2.3.3 – directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach the code. In particular, he facilitated or attempted to facilitate the introduction of four different players, including a national captain, to someone he knew, or should have known, may have wanted to approach them to provide inside information for betting purposes.

2.4.2 – failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the code or that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

2.4.4 – failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the code including in relation to international matches, matches in the 2017 BPL, the 2018 PSL, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.

2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption code.

-espcncricinfo

By Nomusa Garikai- It was America’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, 2004 to 2007, Chris Dell who pointed out just how incompetent MDC leaders are and how they can be a burden, not an asset, to the nation. 

In a leaked cable back to Washington, Ambassador Dell said Morgan Tsvangirai was “a flawed and indecisive character who will be an albatross round the nation’s neck if he ever got into power.” The Ambassador said similar things about the rest of the MDC leaders. 

The MDC leaders’ failure to implement even one democratic reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU proved beyond doubt they were corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent. They have compounded their pathetic performance during the GNU by participating in flawed and illegal elections and thus giving the vote rigging Zanu PF regime legitimacy. 

What is really infuriating is the MDC leaders have known all along that by participating in the flawed elections, they will be giving credibility to the process and legitimacy to the result as David Coltart, one of the MDC leaders, has admitted in his book. 

“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” wrote  Coltart.

“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”

They have always offered one feeble excuse after another participating in these flawed and illegal elections in 2013 it was “failure to agree a coalition”. 

Four of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties came together to form the MDC A and still there was no talk of boycotting the flawed elections. “MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” Nelson Chamisa announced. 

Right now MDC A led by Chamisa and MDC -T led by Douglas Mwonzora are all gearing up to participate in the 2023 elections; without even one token democratic reforms in place, it goes without saying Zanu PF will rig the elections. Each MDC faction is offering its feeble excuse for participating. 

Ever since the July 2018 elections, Nelson Chamisa and his MDC A friends have been threatening roll out street protests to pressure Mnangagwa to accept political dialogue leading to the formation of a new GNU. Chamisa and a number of his follow MDC A leaders were hoping to get cabinet positions. 

It is now just over two years to the next elections in 2023, Chamisa has but given up all hope of another GNU and the recall of most of the MDC A senators, MPs and councillors in the last year has left MDC A weak, confused and, most significant of all, broke.  

Still, Chamisa continues to call for street protest. MDC A is banking on millions of people coming out on the street to vent their anger at this Zanu PF regime that has presided over the economic meltdown. If the people do not come out and join the street protest, MDC A will be hoping they will vent their anger by coming out in the millions to vote for change and thus overwhelming Zanu PF’s vote rigging shenanigans. 

Douglas Mwonzora is hoping to use his new found political muscle, many of the elected MDC A senators and MPs have since joined MDC-T to avoid recall, to push for dialogue with Mnangagwa leading to the formation of a new GNU. He and his MDC-T friends will be allocated ministerial position complete with limos, generous salaries, etc.

“If we adopt the politics of confrontation, the members who will be beaten up, tear-gassed, killed and hurt are opposition members,” argued Mwonzora.

“The market will stall and small businesses that will be affected are those of our members. The vendors who will not trade in cities are our members and big businesses will suffer, and this will affect the labour force we represent.

“But dialogue will safeguard our members from harm, death and other losses which may be caused by confrontation.” 

There is no denying that Zanu PF’s response to MDC A’s mass protests will be to use brute force to end the protests. As for the coming elections, Mnangagwa will be aware the people are desperate for change, so desperate they will be going the extra mile to get change. 

Zanu PF has no choice but to be prepared to go into overdrive with its blatant cheating and wanton violence as happened in the 2008 elections. The party has already called on the war veterans to mobilise and cabinet has just approved the recruitment and training of the party’s “green bombers” youth militia. The two groups played a key role in the intimidation, beating, rape and destruction of property in the 2008 wanton violence. 

This time, Zanu PF will be deploying its trusted foot soldiers months ahead of the elections so they can do their dirty work and be done and dusted well ahead of the arrival of the elections observers, a month or so before voting day. Any violence with observers on the ground will be limited to the subtle reminder of the punishment that will be meted out if the party lose the election.

As for the blatant cheating Zanu PF will resist all pressure to implement the democratic reforms designed to stop the party rigging the elections. Both Nelson Chamisa and Douglas Mwonzora know this and hence the reason neither of them has dared provoke Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies to implement the reforms.

Indeed, it was the fear of provoking Zanu PF that stopped MDC leaders implementing even one reform in the five years of the 2008 to 2013 GNU. 

The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power on the understanding the party will bring about the democratic changes necessary to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. It is totally unforgivable that MDC leaders have failed to bring about even one democratic change offering one feeble excuse after another for doing nothing about implementing the reforms. 

Worse still, MDC leaders have participating in flawed and illegal elections giving the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. So instead of MDC leaders bringing about democratic change they are the ones helping to perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship. MDC leaders are now the albatross round the nation’s neck stopping the democratic changes the nation has been dying for! 

Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because the country has been stuck with a corrupt, incompetent and murderous Zanu PF regime that has rigged elections to stay in power. MDC leaders have wasted many golden opportunities to implement the reforms and end the dictatorship. Implementing the reforms would have upset Zanu PF and so the MDC leaders sort the easy route of doing nothing about the reforms to appease it. 

Today, with the nation in a perilous situation, with basic services such as education and health care collapsed and 50% of our people now living in abject poverty; with the nation’s very survival on line; it is imperative that we finally bite the bullet and demand democratic change over appeasement of Zanu PF thugs. 

Zimbabweans must demand the implementation of the reforms following by the holding of free, fair and credible elections. If the next elections go ahead with no reforms implemented, then the plebiscite must be declared null and void. Enough of this nonsense of rigged elections and turning a blind eye to it all to appease Zanu PF!

By A Correspondent- Armed criminals masquerading as soldiers and police officers are on the prowl across the country where they are carrying out well-co-ordinated armed robberies.

In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said the criminals brandished “search warrants” purported to bear the signature of the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.

“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to alert members of the public that a gang of armed robbers is on the prowl in Mashonaland West province,” Makotore said.

“The robbers are using the names of the ZNA and ZRP [Zimbabwe Republic Police] to dupe unsuspecting victims of their valuable property. They gain access into private premises upon production of fake search warrants.”

He added: “The fake warrants are purportedly signed by the Commander Defence Forces claiming the bearer has authority to search premises or individuals and seize any articles which may lead to acts of terrorism.

“Unsuspecting members of the public have resultantly been robbed and there have been a number of reports of such robberies through the use of such fake search warrants in Chegutu, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Christon Bank and Mazowe.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Mpilo Central Hospital has resumed radiotherapy services following the Government’s intervention which resulted in the deployment of a physicist.

The machines broke down on 15 August last year and were fixed last month but could not be run as the hospital had no physicist.

As a result, cancer patients from the Southern region had to travel to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, the only other hospital that offers cancer treatment in the country.

Mpilo acting chief executive Solwayo Ngwenya expressed gratitude to the Government for ensuring that the service resumes.

He said:

We are very happy that the machines have finally been fixed and we have a physicist who was seconded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care to help administer the treatment.

We are particularly grateful that all the work which has been done so far was facilitated by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during his last visit.

Head of the radiotherapy department Dr Tatenda Chingonzoh revealed that about 120 patients had been on the waiting list last year when the machine broke down.

Said Chingonzoh:

We are happy that finally, we will resume offering radiotherapy at Mpilo although we are in need of a physicist.

The one we have is temporary and then the day he goes we will be forced to suspend the services as this type of treatment needs highly qualified personnel.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance and MDCT councillors in Beitbridge have raised concern over their exclusion from government programmes, especially when Cabinet ministers are visiting the border town.

The opposition councillors were not included on a scheduled tour of the border town by National Housing minister Daniel Garwe and Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube on Friday to access civil servants’ living conditions

“Why should they politicise a government programme? Excluding the Beitbridge mayor and his team in events happening in the areas of their jurisdiction is a clear sign of politicising government programmes,” ward 3 councillor Takavingei Mahachi said.

“This project is being implemented within the Municipality of Beitbridge and the mayor should be recognised. Government programmes should not be politicised.

“This system of politicising everything has killed our country. Whoever drafted this programme must stop it.”

Recalled ward 4 councillor Granger Nyoni said it was likely that government wanted another huge piece of land in Beitbridge before finishing the construction of the flats and houses which it started in 2006.

Garwe and Ncube are expected to tour an area set aside for development of 400 housing units for civil servants in the border town.

A medical doctor dispatched to the border town recently lives in a COVID-19 quarantine area, while another one lives in a sub-standard rented house.

Dozens of nurses share rooms in old, poorly-ventilated nurses’ homes, while others live in side wards at their workplace.

One junior civil servant owns two houses while a regional magistrate, two provincial magistrates, an area prosecutor and several policemen and prison officials do not have accommodation.

Garwe and Ncube’s visit to Beitbridge is also expected to speed up the completion of six metres of a sewer line that has stalled the allocation of 26 civil servants’ houses that have been lying idle for the past 10 years.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have arrested the man behind the murder of a city newspaper vendor last week. Jongumuzi Lobati (age not given) of Woodville assaulted the now deceased Farai Mazhindu of Luveve suburb with fists after a misunderstanding along Matshona Road in Old Luveve.

The deceased fell headlong on the tarred road and died on the spot.

To conceal the vice, Lobati dragged the deceased’s body to a nearby bush and fled from the scene. The body of the late Mazhindu, popularly known as Dread or Rasta, was later discovered the following day at a nearby bush along Matshona road with a swollen head and bruises on the left side of its forehead.

On the day the accused was arrested, he was found dressed in blood-stained clothes which linked him to the alleged heinous act.

Lobati has made positive indications at the crime scene with detectives from CID Homicide (Bulawayo). He pleaded guilty to one count of murder before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Rachel Mukanga who remanded him in custody to April 27.

Prosecuting, Mr Terence Chakabuda said on April 6 at around 11PM along Matshona Road in Old Luveve, Lobati and the deceased had a misunderstanding after a beer drink.

“On April 7 the now deceased’s body was found at a nearby bush along Matshona road in Old Luveve with a swollen head and bruises on the left side of its forehead. Three days later, Lobati was arrested and stated that he had severely assaulted Mazhindu with clenched fists and he fell down with his head and died on the spot. He dragged the body of the deceased and hid it in a nearby bush before fleeing from the scene,” said Mr Chakabuda.

There are four key State witnesses who saw Lobati and the deceased having a heated argument at the crime scene. The late newspaper vendor used to operate at corner 6th Avenue and Robert Mugabe.-statemedia

By Leonard Koni- The re-introduction of the National Youth Service Training Border Gezi popularly known as The Green Bombers has sent chilling feelings amongst most Zimbabweans who have experienced the brutality of this militia group in 2008.

This is a sign of government failure to create employment for the youths in the country. Zimbabwe is now gearing itself into a fully fledged military country.

There is bad news again. We know that elections are around the corner and the innocent youths want to be used to beat up and threaten people. The programme is not well cooked and these youths want to be dragged to do dirty work for selfish maggots.

Was it really the idea of Kirsty Coventry to re-introduce this militia group which unleashed terror during the 2008 elections under the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe or she is being used as a shield by Zanu PF political big wigs?

If the government is very serious about this programme , then we must first see Zanu PF leaders sending their children at Border Gezi Training School just like the way they are getting these corona vaccines jabs.

The government of Zimbabwe does not have the capacity to run such a national programme when it is still struggling to run some of these programmes to do with development.

At such times like this, such useless programmes must be shelved. They have a history of causing divisions and harm in the past. So what is the difference between the old dispensation of Mugabe?

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is running of of ideas and is just copying and pasting Mugabe’s toxic policies and there is nothing new being introduced to the country.

While a lot of countries have successfully run those programmes, Zimbabwe has a record of bastardising the concept by producing brainwashed desperate poor youths who cannot put food on the table because they are jobless and end up joining such programmes just to get a meal to survive.

This program was responsible for thousands of deaths and violent acts on members of he opposition.

Indoctrinating and weaponising the youths will not solve the current economic challenges being faced by the country.

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