The Zvimba North MDC Alliance trio of Provincial Deputy Secretary leader Chinanzvavana, Zvimba North Deputy Chairperson Ldr Daniel Hove and Organising Secretary Ldr Aiden Wairesi who were arrested on Saturday in Raffingora in Zvimba North after resisting an attempt by plain clothes to barge uninvited into the internal Party Building Directorate meeting.
The alert MDC Alliance members resisted this unlawful act resulting in a scuffle where some of our members were injured and the arrest of the 3.
The 3 were granted $10000 bail, ordered to stay at their given addresses,not to interfere with state witnesses and to report every Monday and Friday between 0600hrs and 1800hrs.
The matter has been remanded to 14 April 2021 for routine remand.
It is sad to note that the “law” chooses to turn a blind eye when ZANU PF convene meetings attended by thousands of people but suddenly become alive when the MDC Alliance convenes internal Executive meetings.
Amai Mnangagwa is travelling the length and breadth of this nation with a huge entourage conducting cooking workshops at a time the nation is dithering on the brink of collapse.
She has been to Chinhoyi,Gweru,Kwekwe and Masvingo where it is alleged that hungry and angry students chased her away and riot police allegedly came to her rescue.We haven’t even heard when she will be arrested for violating the same COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
It will be a great day for democracy when she is also arrested for violating the same.
As poor peace loving , patriotic Zimbabweans we shall not be deterred by a rich,selfish and gluttonic few from converging for change. We shall not continue to wallow in poverty while a few suppress us for their own selfish gains.
We cannot let the nation sink on our watch.We shall continue to converge as citizens until a solution to our crisis as a nation is found.
The Regime should stop acting like an Ian Douglas Smith minion.
By A Correspondent- The late Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure’s former business partner Zodwa Mkandla is demanding that his Bentley Continental GT hidden in South Africa be surrendered.
The car is believed to be under the custody of Ginimbi’s long-time friend, Nomatter Zinyengere in South Africa.
Zodwa wants it registered with the Master of High Court as required in terms of the Administration of Estates Act and surrendered to the Executor of Ginimbi’s estate.
The car was reportedly bought by Zodwa from the UK in 2013, while Ginimbi paid for duty in Zimbabwe.
In a letter to Zinyengere’s lawyers, Shomwe-Nyakuedza Attorneys, Zodwa’s legal team, Venturas and Samkange last week, wrote:
Our client instructs us that sometime in October 2013, she bought a Bentley Continental GT from the United Kingdom under the name Traverze Travel.
Same was delivered through the Plumtree border post and the late (Ginimbi) was authorised to collect it.
The motor vehicle at the time of the deceased’s passing on was in South Africa under his custody.
This vehicle would be used by the late (Ginimbi) and our client (Zodwa) whenever in South Africa on business or leisure trips.
We are further instructed that the motor vehicle is currently in the custody of Nomatter Zinyengere, who is your client.
The car has not been registered with the Master of High Court as required in terms of the Administration of Estates Act.
Our instructions are, to demand as we hereby do, that the motor vehicle be surren[1]dered to the Executor dative so that it forms part of the deceased estate since he (Ginimbi) had been authorised to put the car in his name.
Zodwa told H-Metro that all she wants is for Ginimbi’s properties to be fully accounted for amid claims that the Bentley is now being kept away from the public.
City of Masvingo signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Environmental Management Agency
By Ashleigh Jinjika Friday the 26th of March 2021 witnessed Masvingo City Council signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Environmental Management Agency for the development of harmonious and cooperative relations with the purpose of ensuring the protection and cleanliness of the environment within the city as well as enforcement of all environmental laws and regulations within Masvingo City Council’s jurisdiction.
The partnership seeks to ensure that Masvingo City transforms itself and becomes a centre of environmental excellence, establishing an Environmental Inspectorate Unit (EIU) manned by Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) who will be charged with the duty to enforce environmental by-laws in Masvingo City Council’s area of jurisdiction.
The partnership includes reviewing of existing Council environmental by-laws and capacitation of the EIU.
True to its vision, ‘An Industrialised World-Class Metropolitan City by 2030’, the MOU reaffirms the Council’s commitment to keeping environments clean. The MOU is therefore aimed at improving the environmental law-enforcement framework for Masvingo City Council hence a committee comprised of Masvingo City Council, EMA, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, ZINWA, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was formed to review and update existing Council by-laws.
This resulted in the production of the draft City of Masvingo Environment (Noise and Nuisance) By-laws. Over and above all this, the MoU saw the creation of a unit made up of 35 members drawn from all the relevant departments of Council, and also EMA handing over 3 motorcycles to the City of Masvingo to carry out environmental inspections, licencing for environmental pollution and prosecuting where there are environmental offences.
Apart from the creation of the unit, the team was trained on national environmental law, carrying out environmental inspections, prosecution procedure and the draft by-law. The unit was also trained on how to conduct field inspections and prosecutions.
Present during the signing ceremony were District Development Coordinator’s Office, The Mayor, Cllr C Maboke, Deputy Mayor, Cllr W Mawende, Alderman S Maridza, Councillors, Acting Town Clerk, Eng E Mukaratirwa, Management, Croco Motors Manager, Mr Chawonza, EMA officials, members from the Health Department, Transport office, municipal police, procurement, audit, human resources as well as members of the media.
By A Correspondent- Government yesterday said it was committed to ensuring better conditions of service for teachers after they pled incapacitation and demanded that their salaries be restored to the 2018 US$520 to US$550 levels.
In an interview with NewsDay, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said government was looking at all avenues possible to solve the teachers’ grievances.
“We seek to provide quality, relevant, inclusive and wholesome education for all Zimbabweans while the government looks into the conditions of service of teachers. We support an improvement of the conditions of service as a ministry,” Ndoro said.
Recently, government promised a 25% salary increment for civil servants, which they rejected.
Civil servants have also shot down a staggered 75 percent salary increase proposed by their employers, insisting on US dollar indexed salaries.
In 2016, government promised that at least 100 000 civil servants countrywide would benefit from a residential stands scheme as part of efforts to incentivise them.
Again in 2018, two weeks before the crucial elections, government disclosed that the Public Service Commission in partnership with the National Social Security Authority had agreed on a $60 million public service housing facility for civil servants which would be managed through the National Building Society.
This included payment of the 17, 5% special civil service allowance and cash in-lieu of leave for teachers who had accrued more than 123 days’ vacation leave.
In 2011, government also dangled a US$7 000 vehicle loan for civil servants payable after 10 years.
However, teachers yesterday said the promises had not come into fruition.
Progressive Teachers’ Union president Takavafira Zhou said teachers would not be swayed by government’s empty promises.
“I don’t believe that the government is committed to better teachers’ conditions of service. We have heard this since time immemorial. What we want now is not mere homiletic bellicose, but practical indicators of that commitment.
“We don’t eat promises, but want to see the execution of commitment. Worse still, a government that brings in shocking discrepancies between salaries of its employees can never fake commitment when a teacher is paid $13 000 and a person with less qualifications, experience and responsibilities gets quadrupled that amount, then the government cannot claim commitment,” Zhou said.
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union secretary-general Wonder Nyapokoto said: “Since time immemorial, the employer has claimed to want to improve the remuneration and avail befitting conditions of service to the industrial, professional teachers who have made other nations green with envy from Cape to Cairo about the quality of Zimbabwe’s education personnel and standards.
“Unfortunately, government has only managed to offer salaries below poverty datum line, reducing consistently for three consecutive years. Zimbabwean teachers’ needs can be sorted if sufficient efforts and will can be put to avail land for farming, residential and commercial use since we have the land to raise funds.”
Teachers have complained that the police, soldiers and Central Intelligence Organisation officers get paid more than $30 000, while they earn between $14 000 and $19 000.
Former Primary and Secondary Education minister David Coltart said teachers’ demands were reasonable.
“The experiment to revert to the Zimbabwe dollar has failed, and the sooner the government reverts to the US$ dollars or some other hard currency the better. Whether government can afford to pay the US-dollar figure demanded is another matter that will require a radical change in budget priorities,” Coltart said.
Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) yesterday launched a campaign targeting to get five million voices to pressurise government to improve the education sector in the country.
This comes at a time when some teachers have failed to report for duty since schools opened for non-examination classes last week, citing incapacitation.
Artuz president Obert Masaraure yesterday said their #SaveOurEducationZw: 5 million voices for 5 million learners campaign to fight for better working conditions for teachers and quality education for learners has gathered momentum.
“This campaign is focusing on resolution of the short-term and urgent challenges. We seek to build a movement of five million voices piling pressure on the government to address our challenges.”
Zhou said they were in unity with their colleagues on the campaign.
Zimbabwe National Teachers’ Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said: “What is happening in the education sector is worrisome and all progressive unions must work together.”
By A Correspondent – A suspected robber has been shot dead near the Beitbridge border barely hours after a Zambian truck driver was shot and killed by robbers while waiting at the Weigh Bridge near the Beitbridge border post.
Sources on the ground told ZimEye, things are not well here, those very same robbers who shot the driver in the afternoon had returned and when they came out of the bush, they clashed with the police officers stationed there.
They started firing bullets and unfortunately one of them was shot dead and the rest fled into the nearby bush.
The person who was shot did not have a firearm.
The identity of the victim could not be established at the time of writing, to ascertain if they are truly a robber and not a victim.
The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) is set to start producing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits for the country in response to Covid-19 that has killed over 1 500 Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe is importing the conclusive diagnostic test kit that determines if one is infected by analysing a sample for genetic material from the virus.
A Covid-19 PCR test costs about US$60 in private health institutions, a development which made the test a luxury for a few.
Once Nust starts producing the kit, members of the public will pay about US$20 for a PCR test, while Government will reduce its import bill.
The innovation at the Bulawayo institution of higher learning will also help the country detect the different strains of Covid-19.
Besides Covid-19, the local production of PCR test kits will help Zimbabwe handle some diseases like HIV whose prevalence in the country is one of the highest in the world at 12,3 percent.
A PCR test can also be used to detect viral load and can be used in animals to ascertain various diseases and viruses.
The country has conducted 558 451 Covid-19 tests since the global pandemic was first detected in Zimbabwe on March 21 in 2020.
Of the tests, 359 663 were PCR tests and the rest were antigen and rapid diagnostic tests (RDT).
In an interview yesterday, the director of the Applied Genetic Testing Centre, Mr Zephaniah Dlamini, said through assistance from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Nust will be acquiring a DNA synthesizer machine which will be used to produce the kits.
Nust will produce about 50 000 PCR kits weekly and currently the country conducts about 15 000 Covid-19 weekly.
“The applied DNA testing lab was asked by Government to assist in the testing of Covid-19 up to about November last year and we were doing the first wave of the virus. During that time we were testing people from the southern region which includes Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces,” said Mr Dlamini.
He said during that time about 40 000 Covid-19 samples were processed at the university’s lab situated at Mpilo Central Hospital.
“In total during that time, we tested close to 40 000 people and we were using kits which are imported mainly from China and we were using our equipment at the Mpilo National TB Reference lab as it has a safety facility that enables one to work with Covid-19 safely,” he said.
By Showbiz Reporter | The controversial socialite, Mai Titi, has responded to reports that boyfriend turned husband, is allegedly wanted for murder.
Speaking in a live video, Felistas Murata said: listen listen and listen very good this issue it does not need any addressing.
“Whatever that you will say about Obina, or whatever it’s got nothing to do with me, who he stole from who he duped or where he is wanted, me I don’t know as you can see I am at work enjoying my life and trying to make ends meet for my kids.”
She then suggested that she has been dumped, saying: “this story of saying that I have been dumped and all that, I am literally in the process of ditching him, so I have got no clue what you are talking about and at the end of the day, this is not the stress I have now the stress I have is to make money.
“So, stop texting me, if he is a con man, if I catch him I will give them to the police because we did not con together.
“If he killed someone I will catch him and I will give him to the police, at the moment I don’t have him, please I don’t look for Obina here; he is not here, here I have got my sisters, and the movie cast, that is what we are doing.”
ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW…..
By Showbiz Reporter | The controversial socialite Mai Titi ( Felistas Murata)’s husband has been reported for having different names while at the same time being on the run for murder in a case investigated by the South African Police Service.
Mai Titi herself has a case of attempted murder and she was jailed last year in Zimbabwe and only released on bail. (Watch the video below).
Her husband, Nigerian, runs under different names: Joe Zondo, Charles Forbes, while he is also surnamed Obina.
The South African Police Service docket has the following advertorial:
The accused was arrested for murder that he committed on 2016-03-12. He later applied for bail and was granted. He failed to appear for his next trial date. He was traced at his given address and the place was found burned down by the angry communities. Accused is a Mozambican citizen and was nowhere to be found. A warrant of arrest was issued by Ermelo magistrate court on 2017-05-24.
Mai Titi rose to fame when she lied that she had been healed of cancer by Controversial preacher Emmanuel Makandiwa, and she has staged drama stunts for convicted fraudster Charles Motondo.
Former MDC-T National Organising Secretary, Abednico Bhebhe has joined the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.
MDC Alliance Matabeleland North Provincial spokesperson, Mhlonipheki Ncube, confirmed that Bhebhe has joined the MDC Alliance.
“In a nutshell Mr Bhebhe has been generally welcomed by all Matabeleland North structures and we are looking forward to working with him very well .He is a hard worker notwithstanding his weaknesses. He knows how to mobilise and that is what we are looking at,” he said.
The party’s Matabeleland North spokesperson boasted that Bhebhe was coming into MDC Alliance with all his supporters from Nkayi.
“That has greatly strengthened us and we are confident of returning Nkayi South to the MDC Alliance during the next elections,” said Ncube.
The Nkayi South Constituency was clinched by Stars Mathe of Zanu PF during the 2018 elections.
Bhebhe has been at loggerheads with the MDC-T ever since he was suspended from his position in October last year.
He then wrote to then Acting President, Dr Thokozani Khupe the following month asking for his suspension to be uplifted citing some irregularities.
His suspension was not lifted but Bhebhe was allowed to remain an ordinary party card carrying member.
He then contested for the party presidency at the Bulawayo Extraordinary Congress provincial elections.
After a dispute over the outcome, Bhebe was eventually expelled on allegations of supporting another political party other than the MDC-T.
Following Bhebhe’s suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party, he approached the High Court to challenging his suspension and expulsion.
In February this year, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube, claimed Bhebhe had been readmitted back into the party but the former Nkayi South legislator denied those claims
“In view of the aforementioned points, I want to make it categorically clear that I do not recognise the outcome of the 27th December 2020 EOC and hence the so-called National Council has no legal mandate to readmit me to what I do not even recognise. As far as I am concerned, the EOC elections were not conducted and hence the amendment of the Constitution illegitimate,” Bhebhe said at the time.
By A Correspondent- Government is investigating an removal of five teachers from Nkankezi Primary School in Matabeleland South, allegedly because they could not speak the local language.
In a telephone interview yesterday, the director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro said the Insiza District Schools Inspector (DSI) has been tasked to investigate the matter and report to head office.
Over the weekend, social media was awash with reports that five teachers had been removed from Nkankezi Primary School after parents made a call for them to be removed. This is due to the fact that the teachers are not conversant with the local language, IsiNdebele.
Mr Ndoro said the matter is under investigation and findings will be released to stakeholders.
“The Ministry has directed the area DSI to investigate the matter and come up with the circumstances to the matter that has been circulating on social media on removal of teachers at Nkankezi Primary School.
“The matter will be further investigated after the report has been submitted and the nation will be updated on the status quo of the matter,” said Mr Ndoro.
Meanwhile, Mr Ndoro said the phased reopening of schools over the past few weeks has been widely welcomed by all stakeholders.
He said this will have a great impact on the growth of the country’s economy.
“The first two weeks of opening of schools have shown the enthusiasm amongst learners, teachers and parents. This is very encouraging for the socio-economic development of the nation,” said Mr Ndoro.Source – chronicle
Gweru residents are set for a major showdown with the city fathers after the local authority bosses rejected a proposal by rate payers to stagger the implementation of the 2021 budget in trying to accommodate the plight of the community.
The residents had written a letter to the city fathers seeking a reprieve on the implementation of the budget which had seen most households receiving bills in excess of 400 percent from the rates they were paying last year in the face of diminished money flows.
Gweru Residents and Rate Payers Association (GRRA)- Secretary-General Mr Cornelius Selipiwe explained the situation on the ground to ZBC News.
Gweru is hugely a market economy. What we found out is that most residents could not afford the huge bills that were presented by council authorities. We then tried to engage them through a letter where we proposed the staggering of the implementation of the budget saying 50 per cent in the first half of the year and eventually 100 per cent in the second half to allow residents most of whom were affected by the lockdown to recover. Unfortunately, our proposal has since been turned down through this letter,
By refusing to listen to our concerns they have just shown us their true colours. We voted these people into office hoping that they were going to put our concerns ahead of everything else by we are being short-changed by the way they are treating us. We have two options one of which is to boycott the payment of water bills and the other is to demonstrate against them. We will go back to the people and make resolutions on how to confront them, he said.
Gweru City Council through its Spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramuse exhibited adamancy over the implementation of the budget in its current form as the only way for them to offer quality service delivery.
“We have the best interests of residents at heart. However, we come up with these budgets bearing in mind the outlook of the economy. We need to buy water chemicals and fuel, pay salaries and our vehicles also require maintenance. We could not buy-in on the request by the residents as we need the money for us to function. Remember this is our main source of revenue and as such we put a lot of issues under consideration before we came up with the decision,” explained Chingwaramuse.
The city fathers are under fire for coming up with the high water bills at a time most suburbs go for more than three weeks without the precious liquid, a situation that has angered most residents who feel robbed by the local authority.
Then Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo reportedly facilitated a deal whereby the daughter of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Mrs Bona Nyepudzai Mutsahuni, and her husband, Mr Simbarashe Mutsahuni, bought 20 hectares of Hellensvale land zoned for recreation for a paltry US$2 300, prejudicing Harare City Council of millions of dollars and flying in the face of town planning regulations.
The city council reportedly was paid US$2 300, but the market price of 20ha of land in Hellensvale ranges from US$4,5 million to US$7,2 million. Seeff Properties, a real estate agent, last week was selling a 0,5ha stand in Hellensvale for US$180 000, which translates to US$7,2 million for 20ha, while Kennan Properties was selling 0,4ha in the same area for US$90 000, which translates to US$4,5 million for 20ha.
While Helensvale was part of the huge Borrowdale Estate staked out by three officers of Cecil Rhodes’ occupation column, and so was developed privately, town planning law insists that private land owners developing a new suburb must hand over for free around 20 percent for education, recreational, or other public uses.
While development of Helensvale started before the end of the 1960s when Harare City Council absorbed its outer ring of suburbs, the city council would have inherited ownership of the public use slice of Helensvale at that time.
The basic allegations compiled by city investigators are that Chombo, when he was Local Government Minister had the land rezoned to private use, so it could be sold, then arranged it to be sold for a mere US$2 300 for a company called Chordac Investments (Private) Limited, which was fronted at that time by two senior ministry officials but which is a vehicle owned by Mr and Mrs Mutsahuni.
In fact the rezoning was still in progress when the sale went through three days before the redesignation was finalised. The redesignation had to be approved by the Local Government Minister, but that was Chombo.
A land audit report compiled by Harare City Council’s special investigations committee chaired by Councillor Warship Dumba accused Chombo of allocating himself Stand 61 Hellensvale measuring 20ha for US$2 300. But investigations by The Herald found that the property is owned by Chordac Investments with the two directors listed in the Companies’ Registry office being Mrs Bona and Mr Simbarashe Mutsahuni (also known as Chikore).
The Special Investigations Committee’s report noted the anomalies in the way the stand was purchased.
Zimbabwe recorded 503 Rap_e cases in January 2021, ZBC News reports.
This was revealed by Msasa Project director Mrs Precious Taru who said there was a huge lead in r_ape cases between January 2020 and January 2021.
Said Mrs Taru:
Sexual violence is actually being perpetrated by strangers. Over the past three years January 2019 we had 89 cases, January 2020 we had 402 January 2021 we recorded 503 this is a reflection that the cases are actually going up.
We need to set stiffer penalties for would-be perpetrators so that we create a safe environment for the children and women.
Cases of different crimes being committed in different parts of the country and in different categories. ZRP recently lamented the increase in Ponzi schemes and cyber fraud, while cases of armed robberies are making headlines on a regular basis
By A Correspondent- A man from Murehwa reportedly killed his mother and his uncle last week as he was accusing them of witchcraft.
ZRP is looking for 35-year-old Denford Nyamande of Marumisa village under Chief Mangwende who disappeared after he fatally axed his mother Angella Bhunu and her brother Felix Taonana Chiodza.
According to the publication, this is what transpired on the day Bhunu and Chiodza lost their lives:
The suspect and his brother had at some point argued with the deceased accusing them of practising witchcraft.
On 22 March Bhunu’s daughter in law Evermore Nechiridza went to her house to give her supper only to discover her lying in a pool of blood dead in her home covered by a blanket
She then informed someone of the deceased’s passing and told them to go and inform Bhunu’s other relative of her passing.
Later that day, she went to Chiodza’s house to talk to him about Bhunu’s death, only to discover his lifeless body lying on the floor.
Nechiridza informed other relatives who in turn reported the issue to the police.
The incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza who said:
Police in Murewa are looking for a man who is suspected to be behind the double murder of his mother and uncle over allegations of practising witchcraft.
The deceased were brother and sister and were staying at different homesteads in different villages while the suspect is Bhunu’s son.
By Correspondent- A former Zanu Pf youth official, Pupurai Togarepi has accused the MDC Alliance most particularly Tendai Biti of misleading people on the patriotic bill which he says is not being adopted fast enough, The Herald reports.
Togarepi was speaking during an interview with the Publication when he said the bill was being tabled to protect the people represented by MPS from “unpatriotic” people like Biti. Said Togarepi:
This is our proposed law, as legislators who represent the people, we are duty-bound to push their interests. When they were in Parliament, we engaged the likes of Biti, but they have ignored that, our representatives in Parliament then decided to move a motion, mind you, this has not started today, it has been raised before as we have watched them campaigning for the imposition of sanctions with no repercussions
It is for that reason that we are pushing the Patriotic Bill, because it’s the people in the constituencies who are suffering from the unpatriotic actions of people like Biti and the MDC-A lot.
As a matter of fact, we are concerned that the Executive is not bringing that Bill to Parliament. We are representatives of the people and it is people who are pushing us
The patriotic bill Togarepi is talking about, which is being pushed by the ruling party is meant to put a ceiling to what Zimbabweans can say about Zimbabwe to other parties including the international community using social media and any other communication medium
By A Correspondent- Eight conventional buses have been impounded along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Beitbridge-Harare highways since last week for allegedly aiding the smuggling of goods from South Africa, NewsDay has learnt.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed yesterday that the buses were seized in a joint blitz involving police, army and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. He said the buses were intercepted after leaving Beitbridge Border Post where various smuggled goods including groceries, clothes, electrical gadgets, among others, were recovered.
“The ZRP confirms that since last week, eight buses which were travelling from Beitbridge to Bulawayo and Harare have been impounded for smuggling groceries, clothes, electricals and other items into the country.
“The police are, therefore, warning bus operators to avoid being used as conduits by smugglers who board buses in Beitbridge en-route to various towns or cities across the country,” Nyathi said. One of the bus operators said they will appeal against the seizure.
“It’s not my business to ask a passenger where they have bought their stuff. All I do is load and charge,” he said.
Government recently launched an operation where police and soldiers from other areas other than Beitbridge handle all border operations and curb smuggling activities.
The impounded buses were reportedly abusing their passenger permits and carrying commercial goods.
“The border post is not yet open for buses, but some operators pretended that they were carrying returning residents, yet they were smuggling goods,” a source revealed.
Zimbabwe has not yet opened its borders with South Africa and smugglers have been sneaking into the neighbouring country to buy goods, which are then smuggled by the buses.
At times the smugglers work with organised syndicates who cross the Limpopo River using boats. Zimbabwe is reportedly losing nearly US$1 billion a year in unpaid customs duty through smuggling activities.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A 56 year old janitor at Coghlan Primary School in Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly raping a pupil on opening day.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the case.
He identified the suspect as Silas Sibanda (56).
“I can confirm that he was arrested on Monday and is facing rape charges. He will appear in court soon after police have completed their investigations,’’ Ncube said.
“Sibanda went to school and found the girl and started chasing her until he caught up with her near the toilets and raped her,’’ said the source.
Two weeks ago, Women’s Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni told Parliament that government was in the process of formulating laws that will provide for 30-year mandatory jail sentences for rape offences in response to a sharp increase in sexual violations.
“Two Bills (Sexual Harassment Bill and the Gender Equality Bill) are expected to criminalise the offence of sexual harassment and provide frameworks for gender equality,” she said in a statement.
She indicated that statistics provided by police showed that there were 1 222 cases of rape in the third quarter of 2020 and 1 274 in the last quarter countrywide.-Newsday
Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (independent) has applied for referral of his case where he is charged of breaching COVID-19 regulations to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt).
Mliswa was accused of violating COVID-19 regulations when he held a Press conference at his Borrowdale residence last month.
He now wants the ConCourt to make a ruling on whether his arrest was lawful since the police stormed his house without a warrant of arrest.
Before the ConCourt application, Mliswa had challenged his arrest and detention which was dismissed by Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti, who ruled that his residence was not a public place as stipulated by COVID-19 regulations.
Mliswa had argued that he was arrested for addressing journalists who are classified as essential service workers.
The State, however, argued that he was not conducting Parliament business, resulting in his application being dismissed by Miti.
Mliswa, in the application, raised questions, including why he was the only person who was arrested at the Press conference.
“Further take notice that the following are the questions whose referral applicant seeks: Whether the singling out for arrest and prosecution of the applicant from among 23 persons allegedly gathered at the applicant’s residence on the day in question amounts to discrimination and offends against section 56(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” part of his application read.
Wages & Salaries Summit brings together ZCTU, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) , Apex Council & Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) to fight for a living wage. pic.twitter.com/59f2lmXexu
By A Correspondent| Former Kwekwe legislator Blessing Chebundo says his decision to cross the floor to the ruling Zanu PF came after some soul searching and a realisation that opposition politics was retrogressive.
Chebundo was speaking at a Zanu-PF meeting in Kwekwe where another group of 500 former MDC members reportedly followed him to the ruling party.
“In February this year, I had what is called soul searching. This was after taking stock of what was happening in opposition politics.
“I met with my sister Timveous and we decided to look for solutions and joining Zanu-PF was part of the solution.”
“MDC as an opposition party is now 21 years old but we realised we were not going anywhere in the opposition.
“When we formed MDC, we were still in the first Republic. For the past 3 years in the second Republic, we asked ourselves with Timveous what the end game will be if we continued with confrontational politics.
“For the past 3 years since President Mnangagwa has been in power, there has been noticeable change. We have seen maturity and wisdom in the leadership of the country,” he said.
“I have moved from MDC to Zanu-PF in search for solutions. I want to be part of the solutions not the problem.
“We discovered that there is need to be part of the solution and not continue as part of the problem,” he said.
“Zimbabwe will continue to have problems; it will not have a good future if we continue to have confrontational politics.
“There is need for boldness in Zimbabwe, there is need to remove pride in our politics, there is need to remove a mentality of saying I sold out when you join progressive forces,” he said.
Chebundo was adamant he did not sell out.
“There is nothing to sell out. I did not sell out. We have to put Zimbabwe first. This is history being made. This is not a mean number to have 500 people willing to join Zanu-PF, to beef up Zimbabwe solutions,” he said.
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said this year all examination classes will be subjected to a new model that will combine marks for continuous assessment as well as final examinations.
The Education Ministry said the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examinations and the Continuous Assessment Framework will now form part of the weighted contribution to learner performance outcomes in Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six public examinations.
The Continuous Assessment Framework ultimately sets out what learners are expected to know and be able to do as a direct result of their learning in schools and non-formal education, starting from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Secondary level.
It emphasises the assessment of knowledge, skills, abilities, values and trends to ascertain the achievement of desired learner exit profiles at any level.
At the moment, it will only apply to examination classes.
In an interview, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema said the adopted system will ensure fair marks for every pupil.
“Schools are opened and learners will be continuously assessed. We want to move from the past where learners are awarded pass or fail grades at the end of the year. We acknowledge that some learners may not be good in particular subjects but are good in others, we want to observe that so that learners are awarded the marks that deserve,” he said.
“We have combined the continuous assessment and the Zimsec examination that learners write at the end of the year in order to award learners a fair mark. Learners have written examinations under Covid-19 hence our continuous assessment strategy will not be affected by the pandemic.”
A document on the new strategy says the philosophy of Ubuntu/unhu, which is catered for, will prepare learners for appropriate roles in society and the real world of work.
The document also says the Continuous Assessment Framework will accord teachers/facilitators the opportunity to participate fully in the assessment of their learners.- Chronicle
By Farai D Hove | A truck driver who South African police confirmed was yesterday shot in the head by robbers along the N1 highway next to the Weigh Bridge while waiting to be cleared for the Beitbridge border, has died.
Sources close to the man called in Tuesday morning to reveal that the victim is no more.
The driver has been identified as a Malawian national aged 38.
He was at Musina General Hospital at the time of death.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the trucker was attacked by two gunmen who pounced on his vehicle early on Monday.
The two alleged robbers are said to have demanded money from the man before shooting him in the head and escaping with an undisclosed sum of money.
Meanwhile, SAPS Brigadier Mojapelo is appealing for anyone with information about the suspects to contact the Musina Station Commander Colonel Mukwevho on 002782 759 4931 or the Crime Stop number 007860010111.
By A Correspondent-Health experts have said that it is not necessary for health workers administering the Covid-19 vaccine to wear gloves during the procedure as there is no proof that not using gloves exposes clients to any kind of infection.
This comes after debate on whether or not health care workers should wear gloves during Covid-19 vaccination with some people arguing that those who vaccinate people without wearing gloves were putting people at risk of infection.
Pictures have been circulating of health care workers administering the vaccine while wearing gloves and others not resulting in confusion as regards the correct way of doing it.
Health experts said gloves are not recommended for most vaccination administration and are not required for the Covid-19 vaccine unless the person administering the vaccine is likely to come into contact with potentially infectious body fluids or has open lesions on their hands.
They said that if used improperly, gloves can increase the likelihood of spreading germs.
Vaccine providers should however have other personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks so that they do not increase risk of Covid-19 transmission.
As of March 27, 2021, Zimbabwe has now recorded 36 818 cases 34 575 recoveries and 1 519 deaths.
On Saturday, 4 373 people received their 1st dose bringing the cumulative figure for 1st dose to 65 466 while 1 396 received their 2nd dose bringing cumulative figure for 2nd dose to 7 965.
The Bulawayo Director of Health Services Dr Edwin Sibanda said it was not necessary for nurses or health care workers to wear gloves while administering the vaccine.
“I do not know if the system can allocate those kinds of gloves because one pair can only be used on one person.
“In Bulawayo we were allocated about 13 200 doses and that means we need an equal number of the pairs of gloves for our staff members,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said since the country needs to vaccinate at least 10 million people it means health care staff need 20 million pairs of gloves for the two doses.
Dr Sibanda who urged members of the public to be vaccinated, said people should not read a lot around the different brands and manufacturers of vaccines.
“What is clear is that they are all safe and all are effective although the efficacy is different as they were manufactured during the different phases of the Covid-19 epidemic. However, they prevent severe disease meaning those who are vaccinated will get corona but a milder form and therefore the hospitals may not be needed for Covid-19 patients,” he said.
One of the nurses who is part of the vaccine drive team said there was no point in wearing gloves.
“Gloves have proven to be problematic in this Covid-19 although we were of the understanding that we should always put on gloves whenever handling patients. Now that we have seen that wrong use of them may cause more infection, we would rather sanitise our hands all the time and ensure that both us and the clients are safe from Covid-19,” she said.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Mr Itai Rusike said members of the public should not thrive on misinformation as that may deter others from taking lifesaving health decisions.
“There is nothing wrong when health care workers wear gloves during the vaccination process and there is also nothing wrong when nurses vaccinate without wearing the gloves. We have seen health care workers continuously sanitising their hands as a safety measure,” said Mr Rusike.
By James Gwati- Deputy Sports Minister Tino Machakaire said Zimbabweans should join hands and contribute in cash or kind towards the welfare of the national soccer team.
Machakaire made the appeal through his Twitter account on Monday before the Warriors, Zambia soccer match.
The Zimbabwe Football Association ZIFA is failing to take care of the logistical needs of the national team.
By James Gwati- Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has been dragged to the High court by a Harare businesswoman over directing the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Zimra to charge retailers Value Added Tax on rice backdated from 2017 in retrospect.
Esther Vongai Zimudzi, through her lawyer Obey Shava of Shava Law Chambers, Rights and Business Centre, on Monday the 29th of March 2021, approached the High Court seeking an order to interdict which she’s suing the Pro Mthuli Ncube and Zimra, from charging VAT on Rice when such a product is exempt from paying VAT in terms of Statutory Instrument 9/2016 as read with Statutory Instrument 26A/2017
Zimudzi argued that as a result of this illegal charge by the Minister and Zimra, the retailers and wholesalers have passed on the cost to the ordinary consumer and this has seen the price of rice in Zimbabwe increase by approximately 20-25% from October 2020 to February 2021, beyond the reach of many.
She argues further that the complete turn around in position which retailers, wholesalers and consumers in Zimbabwe believed to be in place, namely, that all rice was VAT exempt, would contravene the contra fiscum rule, the right to choose and carry on trade. She argues that this violates the right to freedom of trade enshrined under section 64 of the constitution as retailers of rice have been selling same on the basis that it was VAT exempt, only for them to be retrospectively penalized, affecting business, which effect will trickle down to consumers.
She also wants the court to declare unconstitutionally, the demand by Mthuli Ncube and Zimra to have VAT paid retrospectively by retailers and wholesalers who imported rice into the country, more than 3years ago.
I have filed a case at the High court through my lawyers @obeyshava1@shava_law were I am suing @MthuliNcube and @Zimra_11 for illegally charging retailers & wholesalers VAT on rice which is on the VAT exempt list as of SI 26A/2017. As a result,us the consumers are paying more. pic.twitter.com/GJwLpsHOs3
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said this year all examination classes will be subjected to a new model that will combine marks for continuous assessment as well as final examinations.
The Education Ministry said the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examinations and the Continuous Assessment Framework will now form part of the weighted contribution to learner performance outcomes in Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six public examinations.
The Continuous Assessment Framework ultimately sets out what learners are expected to know and be able to do as a direct result of their learning in schools and non-formal education, starting from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Secondary level.
It emphasises the assessment of knowledge, skills, abilities, values and trends to ascertain the achievement of desired learner exit profiles at any level.
At the moment, it will only apply to examination classes.
In an interview, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema said the adopted system will ensure fair marks for every pupil.
“Schools are opened and learners will be continuously assessed. We want to move from the past where learners are awarded pass or fail grades at the end of the year. We acknowledge that some learners may not be good in particular subjects but are good in others, we want to observe that so that learners are awarded the marks that deserve,” he said.
“We have combined the continuous assessment and the Zimsec examination that learners write at the end of the year in order to award learners a fair mark. Learners have written examinations under Covid-19 hence our continuous assessment strategy will not be affected by the pandemic.”
A document on the new strategy says the philosophy of Ubuntu/unhu, which is catered for, will prepare learners for appropriate roles in society and the real world of work.
The document also says the Continuous Assessment Framework will accord teachers/facilitators the opportunity to participate fully in the assessment of their learners.- Chronicle
By James Gwati- Zanu PF has defended the dismissal from the government of the party’s political commissar, Victor Matemadanda.
Matemadanda was fired from his government post of deputizing Oppah Muchinguri in the Defence Ministry.
He was also relieved of his political party’s commissar duties.
Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu told state media that Matemadanda was not fired, had been reassigned to Mozambique where he will be the country’s envoy in that country.
Matemadanda was removed from the party’s commiserate office because he was fighting with President Mnangagwa’s Godfather July Moyo
Police yesterday arrested a fugitive from justice, one Collen Jamu in Highfield after he allegedly poured hot cooking oil on his wife, resulting in her sustaining serious injuries all over her body.
The wife is reportedly admitted at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, where she is battling for her life.
Prior to yesterday’s incident, Jamu has been at large and evading arrest on charges of brutally killing his girlfriend in 2015.
He was arrested, but then skipped bail in February 2017 and was issued with a warrant of arrest.
Jamu is accused of killing his lover Mitchel Chipere in Glen Norah A in 2015 over several misunderstandings.
He had a misunderstanding with his wife Vimbayi Muzozo yesterday and reports are that he took some hot cooking oil and poured it on her. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.
“Police have arrested Collen Jamu (28) after he burnt his wife with cooking oil,” he said. “The wife suffered serious burns and is admitted at Sally Mugabe Hospital.” -Herald
A truck driver who South African police confirmed that he was shot in the head by robbers along the N1 highway next to the Weigh Bridge while waiting to be cleared for the Beitbridge border, has died.
The driver has been identified as a Malawian national aged 38 but his name has not been revealed.
He was at Musina General Hospital at the time of death.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the trucker was attacked by two gunmen who pounced on his vehicle early on Monday.
The two alleged robbers are said to have demanded money from the man before shooting him in the head and escaping with an undisclosed sum of money.
Meanwhile, SAPS Brigadier Mojapelo is appealing for anyone with information about the suspects to contact the Musina Station Commander Colonel Mukwevho on 002782 759 4931 or the Crime Stop number 007860010111.
The then Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo reportedly facilitated a deal whereby the daughter of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Mrs Bona Nyepudzai Mutsahuni, and her husband, Mr Simbarashe Mutsahuni, bought 20 hectares of Hellensvale land zoned for recreation for a paltry US$2 300, prejudicing Harare City Council of millions of dollars and flying in the face of town planning regulations.
The city council reportedly was paid US$2 300, but the market price of 20ha of land in Hellensvale ranges from US$4,5 million to US$7,2 million. Seeff Properties, a real estate agent, last week was selling a 0,5ha stand in Hellensvale for US$180 000, which translates to US$7,2 million for 20ha, while Kennan Properties was selling 0,4ha in the same area for US$90 000, which translates to US$4,5 million for 20ha.
While Helensvale was part of the huge Borrowdale Estate staked out by three officers of Cecil Rhodes’ occupation column, and so was developed privately, town planning law insists that private land owners developing a new suburb must hand over for free around 20 percent for education, recreational, or other public uses.
While development of Helensvale started before the end of the 1960s when Harare City Council absorbed its outer ring of suburbs, the city council would have inherited ownership of the public use slice of Helensvale at that time.
The basic allegations compiled by city investigators are that Chombo, when he was Local Government Minister had the land rezoned to private use, so it could be sold, then arranged it to be sold for a mere US$2 300 for a company called Chordac Investments (Private) Limited, which was fronted at that time by two senior ministry officials but which is a vehicle owned by Mr and Mrs Mutsahuni.
In fact the rezoning was still in progress when the sale went through three days before the redesignation was finalised. The redesignation had to be approved by the Local Government Minister, but that was Chombo.
A land audit report compiled by Harare City Council’s special investigations committee chaired by Councillor Warship Dumba accused Chombo of allocating himself Stand 61 Hellensvale measuring 20ha for US$2 300. But investigations by The Herald found that the property is owned by Chordac Investments with the two directors listed in the Companies’ Registry office being Mrs Bona and Mr Simbarashe Mutsahuni (also known as Chikore).
The Special Investigations Committee’s report noted the anomalies in the way the stand was purchased.
“The land was sold to Minister Chombo without following town planning procedures whereby change of land use was approved on March 28, 2008, after he had already bought the stand on March 25, 2008,” reads part of the report.
While Chombo’s name does not appear on Chordac Investments’ CR14 Form, his close ally Mr Nelson Mhandu, who was a deputy director in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, was one of the founding directors along with Ms Natsai Jaiwa, who was a principal administration officer in the same ministry during Chombo’s tenure.
However, according to the company’s official documents, Mr Mhandu and Ms Jaiwa resigned as directors of the company on the same day, 11 November 2015, leaving Mr and Mrs Mutsahuni-Chikore as the directors.
Mr Mutsahuni refused to comment on the issue, referring all questions to his lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange of Venturas and Samukange Legal Practitioners. “We don’t comment on such issues. Just write what you want. We don’t care,” he said.
Mr Samukange responded as follows: “We do not know anything about that property. We also do not know anything about that company (Chodac Investments),” said Mr Samukange.
According to the special report covering land transactions carried out between October 2004 and December 2009, Chombo also stands accused of violating the city’s policy on multiple property ownership as well as pressing council officials to apply to him for a change of land use and then press them to sell the land to him.
The report said contrary to the council policy that an individual must not get more than one residential property from council, the minister acquired vast tracts of public-owned land within greater Harare and registered them in companies associated with him.
A private person can buy as many privately owned stands as they like, but for many decades the council has had a policy of only selling council residential stands to those who own no other city housing, or in later years to those moving upmarket and willing to sell the downmarket stand.
“It remains disturbing to note that the minister (Chombo) would identify pieces of land in the city, influence council officials to apply to him (Chombo) for change of land use, and then sit over the same applications and approve the changes.
“He would then write to council officials asking to buy the same stands and obviously get them.
“Land reserved for recreational activities would end up having title deeds in his company’s name. A case in point is Stand 61 Hellensvale, Harare, measuring almost 20 hectares. According to the advice of payment the minister paid $2 300 for this stand,” reads the report.
According to the special report, the investigations carried out proved beyond doubt that Chombo abused his powers in many instances by verbally giving instructions to council on land issues.
It said Chombo’s actions flouted the then Section 313 of the Urban Councils Act of 1996 which entailed that the minister could give directives of a “general character” as to the policy council is to observe in the exercise of its functions as appear to the minister to be requisite in the national interest.
“General character” would exclude directives dealing with single stands.
The Act further states that “where the minister considers that it might be desirable to give any directives . . . he shall inform the council concerned in writing of his proposal and council shall, within 30 days or such further period as the minister may allow, submit to the minister, in writing, its views on the proposal and the possible implications on the finances and other resources of the council”.
The act further states that the council shall, with all due expedition, comply with any directives given to it in terms of the Section 313 of the Urban Councils Act.
There were also clear recommendations ignored from the report that the council should repossess Stand 61 Hellensvale because it was acquired irregularly.
Other recommendations were that there was conflict of interest on the part of Chombo and the stand should revert to its Town Planning Scheme purposes and remain an open space for recreational purposes.
Chombo was recently arrested by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) in connection with the Uchena Land Commission Report, which alleges various charges of fraud and criminal abuse of office from his tenure as Minister of Local Government from 2000 to 2015.
Multi-award-winning Zim Hip Hop artist, Ti Gonzi, born Tinashe Gonzara, has been dragged to court after he reportedly assaulted his former wife.
The rapper was not asked to plead when he appeared in court over the weekend.
His estranged wife Esther Tendere took to the witness stand and told the court that she wanted to withdraw the matter before plea.
Tendere said her former husband is the one who is providing for the upkeep of their four-year-old son and has a head injury that needs constant check-ups and he has since apologised.
Police records indicate the scuffle took place at Avondale Shops on 25 March when the two were due to discuss the welfare of their child.
Ti Gonzi allegedly asked why his wife was always insulting him over the phone, and then assaulted her with clenched fists on her face.
The accused allegedly threw the pliers he was holding, hitting her right thigh and injuring her in the process.
Tendere was rescued by her friend, Natalie Musins and a well-wisher.- H-Metro
By Showbiz Reporter | The controversial socialite Mai Titi ( Felistas Murata)’s husband has been reported for having different names while at the same time being on the run for murder in a case investigated by the South African Police Service.
Mai Titi herself has a case of attempted murder and she was jailed last year in Zimbabwe and only released on bail. (Watch the video below).
Her husband, Nigerian, runs under different names: Joe Zondo, Charles Forbes, while he is also surnamed Obina.
The South African Police Service docket has the following advertorial:
The accused was arrested for murder that he committed on 2016-03-12. He later applied for bail and was granted. He failed to appear for his next trial date. He was traced at his given address and the place was found burned down by the angry communities. Accused is a Mozambican citizen and was nowhere to be found. A warrant of arrest was issued by Ermelo magistrate court on 2017-05-24.
Mai Titi rose to fame when she lied that she had been healed of cancer by Controversial preacher Emmanuel Makandiwa, and she has staged drama stunts for convicted fraudster Charles Motondo.
Tinashe Sambiri |Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa was responding to a declaration by a Zanu PF apologist that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
“A New Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion. Yes, the opposition haisi kuzotonga Zimbabwe but will lead Zimbabwe to the Promised Land.
We shall lead, not rule Zimbabwe. Citizens have a right to associate with any party of their choice and gold is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu pf alone. Zanu pf is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Zanu pf,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
He also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.
Tinashe Sambiri |Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa was responding to a declaration by a Zanu PF apologist that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
“A New Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion. Yes, the opposition haisi kuzotonga Zimbabwe but will lead Zimbabwe to the Promised Land.
We shall lead, not rule Zimbabwe. Citizens have a right to associate with any party of their choice and gold is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu pf alone. Zanu pf is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Zanu pf,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
He also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.
By Netsai Marova| Today I appeared once again in court anticipating to be furnished with a trial date.
From 0830 to 12pm, I waited together with my lawyer Charles Kwaramba as the state played delay games.
When we finally appeared the State unsurprisingly failed to furnish us with a trial date, saying they were not ready. Of course they are not ready to do anything related to just application of the law.
They’re only ready to pile cases on our heads with zero intention to proceed to trial.
In the face of this persecution, we remain committed to fight for a just society where the law will be used to pursue justice not persecute citizens. WE SHALL OVERCOME
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary, Netsai Marova is yet to be furnished with a trial date.
The State argues it is not ready to announce the trial date.
See Netsai Marova’s statement: Today I appeared once again in court anticipating to be furnished with a trial date.
From 0830 to 12pm, I waited together with my lawyer Charles Kwaramba as the state played delay games.
When we finally appeared the State unsurprisingly failed to furnish us with a trial date, saying they were not ready. Of course they are not ready to do anything related to just application of the law.
They’re only ready to pile cases on our heads with zero intention to proceed to trial.
In the face of this persecution, we remain committed to fight for a just society where the law will be used to pursue justice not persecute citizens. WE SHALL OVERCOME
With the Coronavirus situation slowly being contained, Zimbabwe should soon be preparing for by-elections to fill in parliamentary and council vacancies created following the recall of some elected parliamentarians and councilors by the now led Douglas Mwonzora MDC-T following a disputed inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December.
Zanu PF, MDC-T, and the MDC-Alliance and any other parties interested in fielding candidates will have an opportunity to measure their popularity since the Supreme Court ruling. This will settle the question of who is the genuine opposition to a corrupt regime in Zimbabwe.
I am aware though that Douglas Mwonzora, leader of MDC-T, has already indicated that his party will contest the by-elections as MDC Alliance, claiming that the MDC-T is the leader of the electoral pact which created the MDC Alliance and that the agreement is still intact. He hasn’t thought well enough to notice that despite the fact that the original agreement said it was to last for five years, at least one of the partners, Transform Zimbabwe led by Jacob Ngaribvume, has disengaged, so there is no longer the electoral pact to talk about. What exists, instead, is a political party called the MDC Alliance that was formed post the death of Morgan Tsvangirai and that Party is led by Nelson Chamisa. Knowing Chamisa’s popularity, Douglas Mwonzora must be hoping to confuse the electorate to vote for his MDC-T disguised as the MDC-Alliance by error.
The MDC-T move is also meant to force the MDC Alliance to abandon its name. But Mwonzora will have enough memory to remember that we have had ballot boxes featuring Zanu PF and Zanu Ndonga before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and the MDC before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and MDC Alliance as late as 2018. So, what if the MDC Alliance Party decides to use the name MDC-Alliance Chamisa and retain the Symbol used in 2018 in the by-elections? To Douglas Mwonzora’s disadvantage, the electorate is displaying desperation in trying to run away from the name of the political party he is unconstitutionally leading following an inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December 2020 for the mere sake of confusing the electorate.
Douglas Mwonzora’s move to want to use the MDC Alliance name will backfire as the angry electorate will aim to punish him and Zanu PF which he has developed so much love and faith in of late in the forthcoming by-elections. It serves to fast track the demise of the outfit he leads, which is likely to be history after the 2023 elections. So, if Mwonzora and his friends insist on using the MDC Alliance until 2023 when they think the already expired MDC Alliance Agreement will expire, what name will they use in 2023? It shows they are sure that they won’t be in the game by 2023.
Mwonzora forgets that the MDC was formed to rescue oppressed Zimbabweans from Zanu PF oppression. One would be excused to have faith in Zanu PF is Zanu PF has changed, but Zanu PF remains as oppressive at it was at the time of the formation of the MDC, hence there is still a need for oppressed Zimbabweans to dislike Zanu PF for the situation they find themselves in. Yet Douglas Mwonzora publicly talks about his party’s unrestrained love and embrace for Zanu PF.
The only change in Zanu PF is that, even before Mugabe was overthrown in the November 2019 coup, the party has been reducing the rate at which it killed members of the MDC to give a false impression that it was no longer a violent party, yet Douglas Mwonzora knows very well that Zanu PF has increased it’s effective intimidation tactics. Douglas Mwonzora will have seen videos of Zanu PF officials telling villagers that if they voted for the MDC they will be severely dealt with. Douglas Mwonzora will be aware that Zanu PF parliamentarians have blocked assistance meant for ordinary Zimbabwean because the assistance was being offered by suspected or known MDC Alliance officials. Douglas Mwonzora will know that ordinary Zimbabweans have been denied food and other forms of assistance post-Mugabe.
What has changed about Zanu PF is that it is now led by a man who sheds crocodile tears, while deep down he is more corrupt than the previous leader. Look at what is emerging now – the First Family being seen in the company of persons who have been corruptly been awarded tenders, in some cases in the First Family Home. The latest arrested contact of President Mnangagwa is obviously the person given the job of ‘Honorary Consul’ of Zimbabwe to Belarus, Alexandre Zingman. One would expect the leader of a genuine opposition party not to fall in love head over heels with a party with a leadership suspected to be corrupt the way Douglas Mwonzora has done.
People of Zimbabwe must never be distracted from the original intentions of the formation of the MDC which was and should remain to be the liberation of the country from corrupt and ruthless leadership. It may have taken long to achieve that, partly because there are some who joined the party even at its formation stage for personal gain. The struggle should never be about personal gain, and when leaders start to hero-worship oppressors, people will read between the lines, connect the dots and see for themselves the sincerity or otherwise of Douglas Mwonzora and his friends in MDC-T.
It would appear Douglas Mwonzora and his followers are going the same route of hero-worship which happened after independence when people hero-worshiped Mugabe and Zanu PF to the extent that we thought they were perfect. Some people never learn. There are so many high suspicious things that are happening and we have never heard Mwonzora and his followers raise their voices against those things. Word has it that he is scared of ruffling feathers with the hope that the system will protect him from the alleged abuse of taxpayers’ money when he arranged the withdrawal of funds given to the MDC-T as part of the Political Parties Finance Act allocation.
The people will prevail! The proof lies in the by-elections to be held soon, not only to replace the parliamentarians and councillors who have been illegitimately been recalled but even a few who have passed on – may their souls rest in peace.
ZESN PRESS STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ZEC’S STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES
ZESN Welcomes Resumption of Voter Registration
25-March-2021- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) commends ZEC for adhering to the dictates of the law as espoused in the Electoral Act on the need for continuous voter registration.
ZEC announced the resumption of electoral activities through a Press Statement, published in the mainstream media and its social media platforms on Tuesday 23 March 2021.
The Network is however irked by the continued suspension of by-elections without consulting stakeholders. ZESN calls on the ZEC to publicize and implement its COVID-19 Policy on Electoral Activities and outline how the Policy will be used to administer by- elections under COVID-19.
Accordingly, selective application of the law by allowing for “some” electoral processes to be conducted at the peril of others is unendurable given the fact that the continuous suspension of by-elections closes up what is left of the shrinking democratic space and undermines the civil and political entitlements of citizens.
ZESN notes that the umbrella ban on electoral activities issued on 2 January 2021 through promulgation of Statutory Instrument 10 0f 2021 by the Minister of Health and Child Care which moved Zimbabwe to level 4 from level 2 of the National COVID-19 lockdown affected the voter registration exercise which had resumed during the last quarter of 2020. Voter registration, being a key component of the electoral cycle, has to be conducted on a continuous basis to keep the voter’s roll up to date.
The Network will continue to advocate for the institution of electoral reforms that are key in ensuring the holding of credible and fair electoral processes. Some of these reforms include; strengthening of the ZEC Independence and building trust and confidence; provision of continuous and more robust and inclusive voter education; transparency in key electoral processes delimitation; and representation of Special Groups (women, youth, and people with disabilities) among others.
More so, ZESN will continue to enhance the capacity of youths, women and People with Disabilities to advocate for electoral reforms by 2023 by facilitating sustained engagement between the ZEC and key electoral stakeholders such as political parties, Civil Society Organizations and relevant institutions supporting democracy throughout the electoral cycle. Further, in view of the COVID-19 context; ZESN will prioritize provision of Civic and Voter Education through media campaigns virtually and using radio since physical campaigns cannot be held at the moment mobilizing eligible voters, women, youth, and people with disabilities as well as marginalized groups to register to vote and if need be to transfer their registration. The move is meant to ensure enhanced and informed citizens’ participation in the voter registration exercise.
The government of Zimbabwe must not negate its obligation to adequately fund the Electoral Commission and to institute the necessary reforms to meet the constitutional benchmarks and regionally and internationally agreed standards.// ENDS
By A Correspondent-South African police have intercepted a truck carrying 10 suspected stolen motorbikes worth over R500 000 and drugs which were being smuggled to Malawi via Zimbabwe.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said two suspects aged 32 and 36 were arrested in connection with the matter on Saturday.
He said the truck was traveling from Gauteng province to Malawi, via Zimbabwe.
“The police officers operating at the Beitbridge border post are still on high alert to curb cross-border crimes. This is after a truck allegedly traveling from Gauteng province to Malawi was caught loaded with 10 dismantled suspected stolen motorbikes valued at over R50 0000,00,” said Col Ngoepe.
By James Gwati-The World Food Program has chipped in to assist 2.4 million people urban dwellers who are struggling to meet their basic food needs, a report by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Council, has said.
The lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 have dealt a severe blow to poor urban communities, many of whom were daily wage earners living hand to mouth. While unable to find work in cities, the travel ban has meant that seasonal employment in rural areas is no longer an option. With work opportunities disappearing, the recent report states that 42% of urban households will not be able to meet their cereal requirements this year compared to approximately 30% for the same period in 2019.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director Francesca Erdelmann said “Reduced access to nutritious food has resulted in negative impacts for many. Families will find it difficult to put food on the table, most of them have been stuck at home and were not able to go to work, the fortunate ones will skip meals while those without will have to go to bed with an empty stomach.
For the most vulnerable people, hunger will have a lasting effect on their lives. The deteriorating hunger situation, caused by COVID- 19 threatens to be their biggest challenge,”
There has been a sharp decline in the standard of living across poor urban communities in Zimbabwe with 83% of urban households now below the cost of the minimum expected food items such as mealie meal, salt and cooking oil compared to 76.8% in 2019.
One of the challenges faced by the urban households were sharp price increases of basic commodities while the purchasing power of the Zimbabwe dollar has been eroded by inflation and the negative economic effects of COVID-19.
WFP’s urban assistance programme delivers monthly cash transfers to 326,000 Zimbabweans across 23 urban areas and depending on availability of resources aims to scale up to reach 550,000 people living in the 28 worst affected and food insecure urban areas in the country.
Households are cash through electronic transfers and vouchers that enable them to buy food items from selected retailers.
Alongside the cash assistance, WFP is also implementing resilience building activities that support long-term development so that vulnerable communities are better able to withstand shocks.
By James Gwati-Hunger in Zimbabwe’s urban areas has increased over the past year with 2.4 million people now struggling to meet their basic food needs, according to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Council.
The lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 have dealt a severe blow to poor urban communities, many of whom were daily wage earners living hand to mouth. While unable to find work in cities, the travel ban has meant that seasonal employment in rural areas is no longer an option. With work opportunities disappearing, the recent report states that 42% of urban households will not be able to meet their cereal requirements this year compared to approximately 30% for the same period in 2019.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director Francesca Erdelmann said “Reduced access to nutritious food has resulted in negative impacts for many. Families will find it difficult to put food on the table, most of them have been stuck at home and were not able to go to work, the fortunate ones will skip meals while those without will have to go to bed with an empty stomach.
For the most vulnerable people, hunger will have a lasting effect on their lives. The deteriorating hunger situation, caused by COVID- 19 threatens to be their biggest challenge,”
There has been a sharp decline in the standard of living across poor urban communities in Zimbabwe with 83% of urban households now below the cost of the minimum expected food items such as mealie meal, salt and cooking oil compared to 76.8% in 2019.
One of the challenges faced by the urban households were sharp price increases of basic commodities while the purchasing power of the Zimbabwe dollar has been eroded by inflation and the negative economic effects of COVID-19.
WFP’s urban assistance programme delivers monthly cash transfers to 326,000 Zimbabweans across 23 urban areas and depending on availability of resources aims to scale up to reach 550,000 people living in the 28 worst affected and food insecure urban areas in the country.
Households are cash through electronic transfers and vouchers that enable them to buy food items from selected retailers.
Alongside the cash assistance, WFP is also implementing resilience building activities that support long-term development so that vulnerable communities are better able to withstand shocks.
By James Gwati-Political activist and former Vice President in the late Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU, Barbara Nyagomo has ventured into farming in Mashonaland West province.
Here is her success story:
I never knew kuti Mhiripiri-Chilli is a Cash Crop till My husband and I embarked on the Chilli journey.
Chilli is not a crop commonly grown by Black Indigenous farmers.
Anong the farmers settled in our farming area we became the first black farmers to explore chilli farming at a commercial level. Indeed, throughout the Banket area in Zvimba North, the growing of chilli was a marvel to the numerous A1 and A2 farmers.
Before we set out on the noble yet tasking adventure of growing chilli, we started with comprehensive research on the crop. Our research eventually led us to discover that proper and useful information is the key to every project one intends to start.
We landed at a company that is legendarily known for producing and processing Chilli Sauces in Zimbabwe and beyond.
The company does not do contract farming. However, we managed to strike a deal with them for a negotiated market assurance on the condition that we buy the seed and engage their Agrinomist when doing the Chilli growing project. Our first-hectare pack seed was not cheaper as well.
We seeded in June 2020 and germination took up to 8 weeks! We learnt that the cold weather conditions of Winter slow down germination by at least 100% and it was not wise to seed chilli in winter. Normally it takes 3 to 4 weeks for the Chilli to germinate. Our variety is Africa Bird’s eye chilli.
This is a perennial crop that lasts nearly four years and can produce almost three times a year.
We chose to do chilli instead of Tobacco or castor beans Because the market is readily available in Zim, Regionally and globally. There is even more demand for Chilli and spices due to the Covid pandemic.
We transplanted the nursery in October last year and It was blazing hot. Transplanting Chilli was not an easy task. There is a need to dig 30cm holes, and half cover it with grass for mulching and manure. This is because chilli stays longer in the field and has a Taproot which will need space to grow and to find food and water.
We irrigated our hectare from October 2020 and six months down the line in March 2021, we are already harvesting our chilli.
We are expecting a bumper harvest. However, we are still learning but so far the journey has been both, a learning experience and a profit-making project.
We are also looking at Value Addition options to do with our Chilli. I am already sampling a variety of Chilli Sauces….. What a Chilli Journey.
My name is Barbara Nyagomo-Chakabva. I am a Zim Diasporan Returnee.
By James Gwati- Finance Mthuli Ncube is under fire from consumers whom he has exposed to retailers after directing the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Zimra to charge Value Added Tax on rice from shop owners backdating from 2017
Retailers are going to pass on the burden to consumers by simply increasing the price of the said commodity, should Mthuli does not reverse his directive.
This has forced one consumers led by one Esther Vongai Zimudzi to approach the High court seeking an order to stop the Finance Minister from directing Zimra to charge the tax on rice from retailers.
Through her lawyer Obey Shava of Shava Law Chambers, Rights and Business Centre, Zimudzi, on Monday approached the High Court seeking an order to interdict which she’s suing the Pro Mthuli Ncube and Zimra, from charging VAT on Rice when such a product is exempt from paying VAT in terms of Statutory Instrument 9/2016 as read with Statutory Instrument 26A/2017
Zimudzi argued that as a result of this illegal charge by the Minister and Zimra, the retailers and wholesalers have passed on the cost to the ordinary consumer and this has seen the price of rice in Zimbabwe increase by approximately 20-25% from October 2020 to February 2021, beyond the reach of many.
She argues further that the complete turn around in position which retailers, wholesalers and consumers in Zimbabwe believed to be in place, namely, that all rice was VAT exempt, would contravene the contra fiscum rule, the right to choose and carry on trade. She argues that this violates the right to freedom of trade enshrined under section 64 of the constitution as retailers of rice have been selling same on the basis that it was VAT exempt, only for them to be retrospectively penalized, affecting business, which effect will trickle down to consumers.
She also wants the court to declare unconstitutionally, the demand by Mthuli Ncube and Zimra to have VAT paid retrospectively by retailers and wholesalers who imported rice into the country, more than 3years ago.
By James Gwati- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed his former Zanu PF political commissar, Victor Matemadanda the new Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique.
The outspoken politician replaces the late army general Douglas Nyikayaramba who succumbed to COVID-19 recently.
There is a strong suspicion that Matemadanda was removed from the party’s commiserate office because he was fighting with President Mnangagwa’s Godfather July Moyo
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF law maker for Mberengwa South Alum Mpofu has died.
Mpofu died on Sunday evening at Masvingo Provincial Hospital Private Ward from kidney failure.
The legislator was, according to medical sources at the institution, receiving chemotherapy for penile cancer when his condition deteriorated and was rushed to hospital where he passed on.
Mberengwa West parliamentarian Jorum Gumbo confirmed Mpofu’s death.
“We have just heard the news about his passing on but you can get in touch with family members for more information,” he said.Efforts to contact Mpofu’s relatives were futile as their mobile numbers were unreachable.
By A Correspondent | In a major success story, a UK based self confessed Zimbabwean Witch’s charms have flopped dismally following a ZimEye 3 year investigation into her frauds.
advertising her birthday bash… Fungai Maruta
‘Muchembere Soko’ (real name Fungai Maruta) as she titles herself has lost her battle to steal GBP32,000 from victims who she has been threatening with witchcraft since 2017.
In 2018, ZimEye launched an investigation which resulted in a High Court Case in Birmingham where ZimEye thoroughly floored her without a lawyer at the side.
Muchembere Soko was running the Madzimai Akatendeka funeral scheme which she however turned into a religious cult, bringing all members into total spiritual subjugation. ZimEye had to conduct several liberation clinics because victims would not speak due to fear.
Following the court verdict in July 2018, Maruta who has also duped Zimbabweans in South Africa, tried would try once again to withdraw the funds from the bank account.
After a 3-year waiting period today, ZimEye can reveal clients are now to receive their refunds.
ZimEye is Zimbabwe’s leading investigative news network whose many stories have led to the recovery of millions of dollars, while others have unearthed the largest cache of facts on human rights violations that have led to successful UN investigations plus several award winning civil litigations, the first ever since Rhodesia days.
The announcement for victims is below:
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL EX-MADZIMAI AKATENDEKA FUNERAL PLAN MEMBERS
NOTICE TO DISSIPATE SALVAGED MEMBER FUNDS
This message is for all eligible ex members of Madzimai Akatendeka Funeral Plan who are in this group .
As you were all aware, some member funds were misappropriated which led to the collapse of the group but the 6 former admins managed to salvage some money which we are now in a position to dissipate as the only reasonable way forward. Eligible former member’s choices are being expressed through a doodle vote to which a link will be provided once you join the telegram group.
Please join the MAFP ex-members telegram page relating to this matter using the following link . This is where all updates are being cascaded. Thank you
https://t.me/joinchat/KI5bPFq_FE00Mzc0
Kind regards
Former Admin Team.
To help strengthen our independent journalism, consider contributing: for as little as GBP20, you can enable us to do better for the nation at this difficult time.
LINK TO DONATE https://www.zimeye.net/donate-to-a-cause-2/
Sepp Blatter has been handed a new ban after multiple breaches of Fifa’s ethics code, the football governing body has confirmed.
The former Fifa president has been hit with a six years and eight month-suspension from football and the sanction comes into effect when his first ban ends in October.
Blatter was first barred from the game for six years in 2015.
The organisation’s former secretary general Jerome Valcke was found to have breached those same ethics code articles, plus abuse of position and will serve a similar length of suspension.
A statement from FIFA said: “The investigations into Messrs Blatter and Valcke covered various charges, in particular concerning bonus payments in relation to FIFA competitions that were paid to top FIFA management officials, various amendments and extensions of employment contracts, as well as reimbursement by FIFA of private legal costs in the case of Mr Valcke…
“Consequently, Messrs Blatter and Valcke have both been sanctioned with bans from all football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for a period of six years and eight months. In addition, fines to the amount of CHF 1,000,000 have been imposed on both Messrs Blatter and Valcke.”- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Highlanders have a new Executive Chairman, Johnfart Sibanda, who was voted into office at Sunday’s elections.
The polls were supposed to take place on 7 February, a week after the club had held its AGM.
But both events were postponed after the government imposed a level four lockdown in January to curb the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sibanda got 154 votes against incumbent Kenneth Mhlophe’s 149 votes.
Morgan Dube won unanimously against Israel Moyo who was seeking a second term as the Secretary General of the club while Mgcini Mafu was voted in as the Committee Member, beating Bhekumuzi Sibanda.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Brush regularly but not aggressively. Brush teeth at least twice a day in small circular motions for about 2 to 3minutes. Prevent back and fourth motions. Use soft bristles toothbrush and change your toothbrush every 3months or whenever ends look frayed whichever comes first.
Use fluoride.Its a mineral found in toothpaste that prevents cavities. Lack of fluoride causes tooth decay.
Floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where the toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also prevent bad breathe.
See a dentist regularly. One should visit the dentist at least twice a year (every 6months) or if there are any changes in the mouth. A dental visit might also depend on health history, age and overall dental health.
Do not smoke. Smoking harm the body’s immune system making it difficult for the body to heal tissues. Smoking itself is a risk factor for gum disease and also cause bad breathe and yellowish teeth.
Consider a mouthwash. Get advise from a dentist on which mouthwash to use. However chlorhexidine containing mouthwash are advised as it has antibacterial effects.
Limit sugary foods and starches. These promote bacterial growth causing cavities. Fibre rich fruits and vegetables are advised.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Like sugary food they also promote bacterial growth that causes cavities.
Tips for kids
Babies and toddlers should not go to bed with bottles and sippy cups.
Brush baby teeth as soon as they come out with soft baby toothbrush and tiny amounts of fluoride.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important as permanent teeth. Tooth decay disrupt space in the mouth of babies and toddlers making it difficult for the adult teeth to develop correctly. Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary, Netsai Marova is yet to be furnished with a trial date.
The State argues it is not ready to announce the trial date.
See Netsai Marova’s statement: Today I appeared once again in court anticipating to be furnished with a trial date.
From 0830 to 12pm, I waited together with my lawyer Charles Kwaramba as the state played delay games.
When we finally appeared the State unsurprisingly failed to furnish us with a trial date, saying they were not ready. Of course they are not ready to do anything related to just application of the law.
They’re only ready to pile cases on our heads with zero intention to proceed to trial.
In the face of this persecution, we remain committed to fight for a just society where the law will be used to pursue justice not persecute citizens. WE SHALL OVERCOME
By Netsai Marova| Today I appeared once again in court anticipating to be furnished with a trial date.
From 0830 to 12pm, I waited together with my lawyer Charles Kwaramba as the state played delay games.
When we finally appeared the State unsurprisingly failed to furnish us with a trial date, saying they were not ready. Of course they are not ready to do anything related to just application of the law.
They’re only ready to pile cases on our heads with zero intention to proceed to trial.
In the face of this persecution, we remain committed to fight for a just society where the law will be used to pursue justice not persecute citizens. WE SHALL OVERCOME
Eight armed robbers over the weekend raided Gateway High School in Harare and got away with more than US$250 000 cash after blowing a safe which was in one of the offices with explosives.
The eight went to the school while armed with explosives which they used to blow up the administration offices to gain entry and stole the money.
No one was injured and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who are still at large.
Sources close to the investigations said the eight attacked a security guard who was manning the premises on Saturday midnight before they forced open one of the offices where the cash was.
They then also used explosives to blow the safe and got away with the cash.
A team of detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide Department was this morning deployed to the school to probe further matter. No arrests have been made so far.
By A Correspondent- One person died on the spot while 2 others were critically injured when their SA registered Isuzu pick-up truck veered off the road and plunged on a river bed after hitting culvert pillars.
The accident occurred on the 30km peg along the Chiredzi – Tanganda highway.
accident
Villagers who stay close to scene alleged that the accident occurred around 4am.
“It could be that the driver was tired and i think the accident was caused by fatigue and lack of sleep,” said a villager.
accident
By 7am. ZRP Chiredzi had attended to the accident and they had collected the body of the deceased.
At the wreckage of the Isuzu vehicle, police recovered more than 10 passports said to belong to some Zimbabweans based in SA.
Said a source:
“The passports must have been sent back to the border so that the driver would have them stamped. This is done to avoid overstaying but the challenge now is what happens next after the driver has died? How will those people get back their passports? How will they come back home?”
Efforts toget a comment from the police was work in progress by the time of writing. More details follow….
Brush regularly but not aggressively. Brush teeth at least twice a day in small circular motions for about 2 to 3minutes. Prevent back and fourth motions. Use soft bristles toothbrush and change your toothbrush every 3months or whenever ends look frayed whichever comes first.
Use fluoride.Its a mineral found in toothpaste that prevents cavities. Lack of fluoride causes tooth decay.
Floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where the toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also prevent bad breathe.
See a dentist regularly. One should visit the dentist at least twice a year (every 6months) or if there are any changes in the mouth. A dental visit might also depend on health history, age and overall dental health.
Do not smoke. Smoking harm the body’s immune system making it difficult for the body to heal tissues. Smoking itself is a risk factor for gum disease and also cause bad breathe and yellowish teeth.
Consider a mouthwash. Get advise from a dentist on which mouthwash to use. However chlorhexidine containing mouthwash are advised as it has antibacterial effects.
Limit sugary foods and starches. These promote bacterial growth causing cavities. Fibre rich fruits and vegetables are advised.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Like sugary food they also promote bacterial growth that causes cavities.
Tips for kids
Babies and toddlers should not go to bed with bottles and sippy cups.
Brush baby teeth as soon as they come out with soft baby toothbrush and tiny amounts of fluoride.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important as permanent teeth. Tooth decay disrupt space in the mouth of babies and toddlers making it difficult for the adult teeth to develop correctly. Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Ramaphosa's speech reveals: In the whole of SADC (including tiny nations like Lesotho), Emmerson Mnangagwa was the only State Security Minister to advise his country to stay away from assisting South Africa's black population against apartheid | HE IS A HERO OR A SELL-OUT?
Among all State Security Ministers in SADC, Emmerson Mnangagwa was the only one to advise his country to stay away from assisting South Africa’s black population against apartheid.
Cyril_Ramaphosa
By A Correspondent | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took a moment to display how Emmerson Mnangagwa is historically SADC’s worst sell-out who betrayed South Africa’s blacks during the difficult Apartheid era.
During his prepared-speech at the funeral of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, Ramaphosa revealed the hidden thoughts of many in the African National Congress over Mnangagwa, who signed secret deals with the racist apartheid regime to sabotage the efforts of liberating blacks.
Mnangagwa is on video in 1986 advising that Zimbabwe must ‘stay away’ from assisting South Africa’s blacks during the time when he was the State Security Minister.
At a time when every other border country was assisting black South Africans militarily, a cowardly Mnangagwa would come on video to say he is afraid of the racist apartheid regime. Mnangagwa is on video saying, he is afraid because at any time the racist regime could ‘strangle us.’ Mnangagwa would soon after that reveal his advisory which was to stay away from South African affairs. (see video below)
Tinashe Sambiri |Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa was responding to a declaration by a Zanu PF apologist that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
“A New Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion. Yes, the opposition haisi kuzotonga Zimbabwe but will lead Zimbabwe to the Promised Land.
We shall lead, not rule Zimbabwe. Citizens have a right to associate with any party of their choice and gold is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu pf alone. Zanu pf is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Zanu pf,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
He also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.
By Business Reporter | A Zimbabwean businessman, Raymond Makunde exposed on ZimEye two weeks ago, has been found having two identities. This is revealed in an investigation in UK and South Africa where a police case has since been opened.
In South Africa, Mr. Raymond Makunde who robbed a London based elderly female of GBP500 has two different identifies.
In the UK, he is masquerading as Raymond Makunde, when in South Africa he is known as Raymond Makunae, exclusive documents unearthed reveal.
Raymond Makunde ‘s other identity card
The above documents ZimEye.com refers to show his identity details in South Africa.
ZimEye also reveals Mr Makunde’s bank statement of the man’s business account for his Bishop Logistics company with which he committed frauds. The attached statement shows Makunde received a credit of R104,000 and the next day R65,000 was taken out to purchase a truck, and within 4 days the whole account was floored.
ZimEye reveals of the R104,000 that Makunde had duped a South African client.
To date the facts established are as follows:
A police case was opened in South Africa by a member of C2C network group, a Mr JJ Singh, alleging that Mr. Makunde committed a crime of theft under false pretences and fraud in relation to a payment of R104 000.00 which his company, Bishops Logistics Pty Limited (Bishops) received on 22 February 2021 against a back-to-back promise to pay the equivalent to a UK based supplier.
An extract of Bishops’ FNB bank statement confirms the receipt of the said funds on 22 February.
The reference in relation to this payment is Ray Makunde confirming that this transaction was conceived and executed in the spirit of building global community power based on trust and integrity. Mr. Makunde was introduced to Mr Singh who in turn was introduced to another member of C2C, the payer in this case. Funds were paid to the order of Mr. Makunde into the FNB account in the name of Bishops Logistics.
Mr. Makunde is well known in social media circles as a businessman.
The below was a thread with the exiled businessman Mutumwa Mawere:
THE THREAD
3:03 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Hi Mr Mawere
[3:03 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Please forward me to police number again
[3:06 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: Did you speak to him.
[3:06 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Yes, that’s the chat
[3:09 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: Hlulani Mabunda
[3:28 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: I have sent him the police number
[3:29 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: He says you do typing jobs for him. Is this true?
[3:29 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Hope he will contact them and clear me
[3:30 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Yes he sometimes asked me to type stuff for him
[3:32 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: I knew him through Facebook as I saw he was a businessman who travels a lot and has a company, so I approached him looking for a job since I saw that he comes to SA and then he said to me he will try find something for me from his colleagues but in the meantime he can assist me with the little just to help me with buying food and stuff…
[3:32 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: Do you know that I have no business with him in this matter?
[3:33 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: I don’t even know what’s going on and who is involved
[3:35 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: But it appears that he is implicating you by saying that you have professional relationship with the account holder Bishop where payments were made to you.
This is a business account and perhaps you may have to apply your mind on your relationship with the company.
[3:35 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: No I was not working for his company
[3:42 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: But he paid from a company that benefited from fraudulent funds?
[3:42 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: [3/19, 3:36 PM] Ray C2C: You bribe police shame on you now busy harassing innocent people and getting into my account its illegal
[3/19, 3:41 PM] mdmawere1: What is my interest in this? Did you pay Ali what you were supposed to pay? Why think when a crime exists?
Are you denying that you stole the money from people you don’t know? Why seek to import my name in your own doing?
[3:56 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: How would I have known that he was doing fraud? Like I said I don’t know Ray personally never met him, he stays in the UK, am in SA. I don’t know what he does with his business. All I know is he has a logistics company called Bishop Logistics…
[3:56 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Which he advertises on Facebook even on his WhatsApp
[3:57 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: But do you see how he is trying to implicate you by suggesting that you have an employee to employer relationship?
[3:58 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: How can you type for a person you don’t know and get paid for it? This is the question that would be asked.
[4:00 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: I will leave Mr Makunde to answer some of these questions coz ini hangu am innocent in all this..I don’t even know who was frauded by him and how you are also involved
[4:00 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: I don’t even know who Ali is
[4:01 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: He has already implicated you and perhaps you don’t realize the problem he has set you up for.
[4:01 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: The money you got came from a deposit made by Ali in the business account.
[4:02 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: I am trying to assist you to understand this. He also used me in the fraud. I know Ali and he paid the funds because of trust in me.
[4:02 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: Eish…so how will this be solved
[4:03 PM, 3/19/2021] mdmawere1: He should have just told you the truth that he obtained funds under false pretences and used the funds as if they were his.
[4:10 PM, 3/19/2021] Thando Mobicash: My network is bad
[3:40 PM, 3/21/2021] Thando Mobicash: Hello Mr Mawere, did you manage to get Ray to sort out the guy’s money and pay him back? I tried reaching him but to no avail…
[3:42 PM, 3/21/2021] mdmawere1: [2/23, 1:08 PM] Ray C2C: Payment just came through now
[2/23, 1:08 PM] mdmawere1: Great. What is the way forward?
[2/23, 1:10 PM] Ray C2C: Am going to do the transfer to the beneficially account but can we see what he Can do about our services like I said will be doing for mahala as it stands
[2/23, 1:46 PM] Ray C2C: Anyway when is the next one?
[2/23, 1:47 PM] mdmawere1: I think we can push once we have completed this one. What do you think? We need to have a better understanding to avoid any confusion.
[2/23, 3:42 PM] Ray C2C: Mukoma I need the beneficiary name and please confirm that the payment is going to FNB, Channel Island
[2/23, 3:56 PM] mdmawere1: Ok thanks
[2/23, 4:09 PM] mdmawere1: [2/23, 4:07 PM] mdmawere1: The account has no name?
[2/23, 4:08 PM…
[9:52 AM, 3/22/2021] Thando Mobicash: This is sad, I used to think Ray is a genuine business person
[9:54 AM, 3/22/2021] mdmawere1: It is unfortunate that he now wants to play me instead of owning up to the fraud. You can see that he acknowledged receipt of the funds.
I didn’t pay him any of the funds. Where does my name come in?
[9:55 AM, 3/22/2021] Thando Mobicash: Yes I saw, I think the fact that he is in the UK makes him think that he won’t be arrested for all that he is doing..
[10:06 AM, 3/22/2021] mdmawere1: Now why did he have to lie that payments to you from stolen funds was in lieu of typing services when this is not true?
[1:08 PM, 3/22/2021] mdmawere1: 2021/03/06, 8:40 pm – Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.
2021/03/06, 8:40 pm – The Royal India: Hello Brother
2021/03/06, 8:41 pm – The Royal India: Singh here
2021/03/06, 8:41 pm – The Royal India: Hope you back in UK
2021/03/06, 8:41 pm – The Royal India: We haven’t received any payment to date
2021/03/06, 8:41 pm – The Royal India: Into Channel Iceland account
2021/03/06, 8:41 pm – The Royal India: I am wondering why it’s taking long
2021/03/06, 8:44 pm – The Royal India: You didn’t honour your commitment.
2021/03/06, 8:45 pm – The Royal India: Please let me know what is the way forward as we are under heavy pressure
ZESN PRESS STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ZEC’S STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES
ZESN Welcomes Resumption of Voter Registration
25-March-2021- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) commends ZEC for adhering to the dictates of the law as espoused in the Electoral Act on the need for continuous voter registration.
ZEC announced the resumption of electoral activities through a Press Statement, published in the mainstream media and its social media platforms on Tuesday 23 March 2021.
The Network is however irked by the continued suspension of by-elections without consulting stakeholders. ZESN calls on the ZEC to publicize and implement its COVID-19 Policy on Electoral Activities and outline how the Policy will be used to administer by- elections under COVID-19.
Accordingly, selective application of the law by allowing for “some” electoral processes to be conducted at the peril of others is unendurable given the fact that the continuous suspension of by-elections closes up what is left of the shrinking democratic space and undermines the civil and political entitlements of citizens.
ZESN notes that the umbrella ban on electoral activities issued on 2 January 2021 through promulgation of Statutory Instrument 10 0f 2021 by the Minister of Health and Child Care which moved Zimbabwe to level 4 from level 2 of the National COVID-19 lockdown affected the voter registration exercise which had resumed during the last quarter of 2020. Voter registration, being a key component of the electoral cycle, has to be conducted on a continuous basis to keep the voter’s roll up to date.
The Network will continue to advocate for the institution of electoral reforms that are key in ensuring the holding of credible and fair electoral processes. Some of these reforms include; strengthening of the ZEC Independence and building trust and confidence; provision of continuous and more robust and inclusive voter education; transparency in key electoral processes delimitation; and representation of Special Groups (women, youth, and people with disabilities) among others.
More so, ZESN will continue to enhance the capacity of youths, women and People with Disabilities to advocate for electoral reforms by 2023 by facilitating sustained engagement between the ZEC and key electoral stakeholders such as political parties, Civil Society Organizations and relevant institutions supporting democracy throughout the electoral cycle. Further, in view of the COVID-19 context; ZESN will prioritize provision of Civic and Voter Education through media campaigns virtually and using radio since physical campaigns cannot be held at the moment mobilizing eligible voters, women, youth, and people with disabilities as well as marginalized groups to register to vote and if need be to transfer their registration. The move is meant to ensure enhanced and informed citizens’ participation in the voter registration exercise.
The government of Zimbabwe must not negate its obligation to adequately fund the Electoral Commission and to institute the necessary reforms to meet the constitutional benchmarks and regionally and internationally agreed standards.// ENDS
With the Coronavirus situation slowly being contained, Zimbabwe should soon be preparing for by-elections to fill in parliamentary and council vacancies created following the recall of some elected parliamentarians and councilors by the now led Douglas Mwonzora MDC-T following a disputed inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December.
Zanu PF, MDC-T, and the MDC-Alliance and any other parties interested in fielding candidates will have an opportunity to measure their popularity since the Supreme Court ruling. This will settle the question of who is the genuine opposition to a corrupt regime in Zimbabwe.
I am aware though that Douglas Mwonzora, leader of MDC-T, has already indicated that his party will contest the by-elections as MDC Alliance, claiming that the MDC-T is the leader of the electoral pact which created the MDC Alliance and that the agreement is still intact. He hasn’t thought well enough to notice that despite the fact that the original agreement said it was to last for five years, at least one of the partners, Transform Zimbabwe led by Jacob Ngaribvume, has disengaged, so there is no longer the electoral pact to talk about. What exists, instead, is a political party called the MDC Alliance that was formed post the death of Morgan Tsvangirai and that Party is led by Nelson Chamisa. Knowing Chamisa’s popularity, Douglas Mwonzora must be hoping to confuse the electorate to vote for his MDC-T disguised as the MDC-Alliance by error.
The MDC-T move is also meant to force the MDC Alliance to abandon its name. But Mwonzora will have enough memory to remember that we have had ballot boxes featuring Zanu PF and Zanu Ndonga before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and the MDC before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and MDC Alliance as late as 2018. So, what if the MDC Alliance Party decides to use the name MDC-Alliance Chamisa and retain the Symbol used in 2018 in the by-elections? To Douglas Mwonzora’s disadvantage, the electorate is displaying desperation in trying to run away from the name of the political party he is unconstitutionally leading following an inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December 2020 for the mere sake of confusing the electorate.
Douglas Mwonzora’s move to want to use the MDC Alliance name will backfire as the angry electorate will aim to punish him and Zanu PF which he has developed so much love and faith in of late in the forthcoming by-elections. It serves to fast track the demise of the outfit he leads, which is likely to be history after the 2023 elections. So, if Mwonzora and his friends insist on using the MDC Alliance until 2023 when they think the already expired MDC Alliance Agreement will expire, what name will they use in 2023? It shows they are sure that they won’t be in the game by 2023.
Mwonzora forgets that the MDC was formed to rescue oppressed Zimbabweans from Zanu PF oppression. One would be excused to have faith in Zanu PF is Zanu PF has changed, but Zanu PF remains as oppressive at it was at the time of the formation of the MDC, hence there is still a need for oppressed Zimbabweans to dislike Zanu PF for the situation they find themselves in. Yet Douglas Mwonzora publicly talks about his party’s unrestrained love and embrace for Zanu PF.
The only change in Zanu PF is that, even before Mugabe was overthrown in the November 2019 coup, the party has been reducing the rate at which it killed members of the MDC to give a false impression that it was no longer a violent party, yet Douglas Mwonzora knows very well that Zanu PF has increased it’s effective intimidation tactics. Douglas Mwonzora will have seen videos of Zanu PF officials telling villagers that if they voted for the MDC they will be severely dealt with. Douglas Mwonzora will be aware that Zanu PF parliamentarians have blocked assistance meant for ordinary Zimbabwean because the assistance was being offered by suspected or known MDC Alliance officials. Douglas Mwonzora will know that ordinary Zimbabweans have been denied food and other forms of assistance post-Mugabe.
What has changed about Zanu PF is that it is now led by a man who sheds crocodile tears, while deep down he is more corrupt than the previous leader. Look at what is emerging now – the First Family being seen in the company of persons who have been corruptly been awarded tenders, in some cases in the First Family Home. The latest arrested contact of President Mnangagwa is obviously the person given the job of ‘Honorary Consul’ of Zimbabwe to Belarus, Alexandre Zingman. One would expect the leader of a genuine opposition party not to fall in love head over heels with a party with a leadership suspected to be corrupt the way Douglas Mwonzora has done.
People of Zimbabwe must never be distracted from the original intentions of the formation of the MDC which was and should remain to be the liberation of the country from corrupt and ruthless leadership. It may have taken long to achieve that, partly because there are some who joined the party even at its formation stage for personal gain. The struggle should never be about personal gain, and when leaders start to hero-worship oppressors, people will read between the lines, connect the dots and see for themselves the sincerity or otherwise of Douglas Mwonzora and his friends in MDC-T.
It would appear Douglas Mwonzora and his followers are going the same route of hero-worship which happened after independence when people hero-worshiped Mugabe and Zanu PF to the extent that we thought they were perfect. Some people never learn. There are so many high suspicious things that are happening and we have never heard Mwonzora and his followers raise their voices against those things. Word has it that he is scared of ruffling feathers with the hope that the system will protect him from the alleged abuse of taxpayers’ money when he arranged the withdrawal of funds given to the MDC-T as part of the Political Parties Finance Act allocation.
The people will prevail! The proof lies in the by-elections to be held soon, not only to replace the parliamentarians and councillors who have been illegitimately been recalled but even a few who have passed on – may their souls rest in peace.
Tinashe Sambiri |Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa
President Chamisa was responding to a declaration by a Zanu PF apologist that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
“A New Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion. Yes, the opposition haisi kuzotonga Zimbabwe but will lead Zimbabwe to the Promised Land.
We shall lead, not rule Zimbabwe. Citizens have a right to associate with any party of their choice and gold is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu pf alone. Zanu pf is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Zanu pf,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
He also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.
Tinashe Sambiri |Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa was responding to a declaration by a Zanu PF apologist that the opposition will never rule Zimbabwe.
“A New Zimbabwe shall get rid of politics of coercion. Yes, the opposition haisi kuzotonga Zimbabwe but will lead Zimbabwe to the Promised Land.
We shall lead, not rule Zimbabwe. Citizens have a right to associate with any party of their choice and gold is for all Zimbabweans, not Zanu pf alone. Zanu pf is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Zanu pf,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
He also bemoaned the lack of political tolerance in the country.
Ramaphosa's speech reveals: In the whole of SADC (including tiny nations like Lesotho), Emmerson Mnangagwa was the only State Security Minister to advise his country to stay away from assisting South Africa's black population against apartheid | HE IS A HERO OR A SELL-OUT?
Among all State Security Ministers in SADC, Emmerson Mnangagwa was the only one to advise his country to stay away from assisting South Africa’s black population against apartheid.
Cyril_Ramaphosa
By A Correspondent | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took a moment to display how Emmerson Mnangagwa is historically SADC’s worst sell-out who betrayed South Africa’s blacks during the difficult Apartheid era.
During his prepared-speech at the funeral of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, Ramaphosa revealed the hidden thoughts of many in the African National Congress over Mnangagwa, who signed secret deals with the racist apartheid regime to sabotage the efforts of liberating blacks.
Mnangagwa is on video in 1986 advising that Zimbabwe must ‘stay away’ from assisting South Africa’s blacks during the time when he was the State Security Minister.
At a time when every other border country was assisting black South Africans militarily, a cowardly Mnangagwa would come on video to say he is afraid of the racist apartheid regime. Mnangagwa is on video saying, he is afraid because at any time the racist regime could ‘strangle us.’ Mnangagwa would soon after that reveal his advisory which was to stay away from South African affairs. (see video below)
Will you continue trusting the @NPRCZim if @GutuObert (who has an 10y long history of publicly harrassing women) is appointed its Commissioner? @WalpeAcademy@HealZim
By A Correspondent| Four armed robbers allegedly pounced on a Chinese national at Dore Green mine, Zhombe on Saturday and robbed him of his cash and gold.
According to the police, Wang Zim (39) was robbed of his cash and gold.
Kudakwashe Zvenyika (36), Gift Takavingwa, Maxwell Madzingwa and Mhofela robbed the complainant at gun and knife point.
Bulawayo24.com has it that the accused persons further demanded firearms before locking up the victim in the car and left towards Kwekwe -Gokwe highway.
The scene was attended by ZRP Zhombe and it was established that one of the robbers is former worker at the mine, the matter is still under investigation at ZRP Zhombe RRB number 4684334
By A Correspondent- Four armed robbers allegedly pounced on a Chinese national at Dore Green mine, Zhombe on Saturday and robbed him of his cash and gold.
According to the police, Wang Zim (39) was allegedly robbed by Kudakwashe Zvenyika (36), Gift Takavingwa, Maxwell Madzingwa and Mhofela at gun and knife point.
The gun and knife weilding suspects were handed over US 8 571 and 80.6 grammes of amalgam gold.
The accused persons further demanded firearms before locking up the victim in the car and left towards Kwekwe -Gokwe highway.
Police details from ZRP Zhombe attended the scene of the crime and it was established that one of the robbers is a former worker at the mine.
The matter is being investigated under RRB number 4684334.
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing on of my daughter, Israella Bushiri. As a Father it was my desire to see her grow and serve the Lord, however, the will of God was for her to return back to Him.
Israella was born during a time when my wife and I were going through great persecution, and she has lived her life witnessing what it means to fight and labor for the Lord despite trials and battles.
She came at a time when we really needed her and through it all, she offered my wife and I, including the entire church great comfort and enlightenment.
We are a church built on faith and if we aren’t careful to observe the ways of the Lord, we can mistake God’s will for God’s punishment.
If things could be reversed we would have desired it to be so. However, the will of the Lord is above our desires. We have experienced it and have accepted it.
We are a church of God’s love and strength and His love and strength will carry us forward from this day forward.
Israella was a strong young girl who loved to worship and serve God, despite her young age. She was brilliant in her speech and possessed a divine excellency in the way she spoke and even tackled her studies.
Today, all those that encountered her testify that they felt a certain special aura that oozed divinity. She was a walking angel. In our darkest moments she gave us light and in our lowest moments, she lifted our spirits. I am grateful to God to have fathered an angel of such spirit and beauty. She will always be my little girl.
When I spoke to the Doctor, he highlighted that if she had not been blocked at the airport the first time she needed to travel to Kenya for medical assistance, she wouldn’t have passed on.
It is very disheartening and sad, therefore, that my daughter has become a victim of the persecutions that we are facing from South Africa.
However, my wife and I, bow to God’s sovereignty and as this is his will, it could have happened anyway.
Today, my wife and I choose not to mourn her but to celebrate her life. I do not believe that the devil could take the life of my daughter.
She was a child of God and she passed on to be with Him according to His will. We prayed and we fasted, we commanded out- and in this week, when the Lord spoke to me that it will be a week of His will- His will has taken place.
Family, join me, not in mourning as those without hope but in celebrating the life of Saint Israella. She shall always be remembered and forever carried in our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
I will be addressing the general public at exactly 12.00 hrs (CAT) on ALL our official social media platforms as well as Prophetic Channel.
By A Correspondent- Some MDC Alliance are now convinced that their non-confrontational approach to the ruling party’s alleged maladministration will not work and they are working towards confronting the government through protests.
The party’s National Standing Committee reportedly resolved to abandon its non-confrontational approach according to a senior party official who said the nation should brace for a sea of protests:
The nation should brace itself for a long winter of discontent as we plan to roll out massive protests countrywide. Some officials are now very clear that a non-confrontational approach will not work.
What is clear is that the opposition has been stripped of everything, from the party name, political finance funding, its headquarters as well as being removed from parliament and council. We cannot continue to behave as if it is business as usual. We have to adapt to survive or die.
Another party official said the confrontation was their only way to relaunch their party after the Supreme Court restored the 2014 party structures making Khupe the MDC T president instead of Chamisa. Said the official who refused to be named: We are paralysed because we no longer have a platform to fight our cause. We have an opportunity to regroup, strategize and refocus.
It was agreed during Wednesday’s National Standing Committee that there is now a need to re-energize the base to kickstart a season of protests.
There is no better opportunity to relaunch the real movement of the people than this. We are now back to the drawing board and it is the people who will carry this movement. We have all agreed that we should now adopt the characteristics of a real movement if we are to dispose of Zanu PF.
We do not have guns but we have the people. These are the people who will see us through.
Meanwhile, Nelson Chamisa hinted at a new party name on Saturday as he said they are building a new home for everyone.
Zanu PF is yet to respond to the reports that people will protest against the government, but it is most likely to respond sooner than later.
South African police have intercepted a truck carrying 10 suspected stolen motorbikes worth over R500 000 and drugs which were being smuggled to Malawi via Zimbabwe.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said two suspects aged 32 and 36 were arrested in connection with the matter on Saturday.
He said the truck was travelling from Gauteng province to Malawi, via Zimbabwe.
“Further searches were conducted inside the same truck and 23 bags containing drugs were confiscated. The two suspects aged 32 and 36 were arrested on the spot and the truck was also seized”.
He said the suspects were part of 1 473 people they arrested during an ongoing operation ‘Thatha Zonke’ (Take Everything).
The operation is being jointly implemented by the police and other security agencies around Limpopo province and at the border with Zimbabwe.
Col Ngoepe said they were targeting drug peddlers, smugglers, border jumpers, armed robbers, traffic offenders, illegal miners, wanted persons, and carjackers among others.
By Religion Reporter | The fugitive from justice preacher, Shepherd Bushiri has announced that his daughter has died.
Writing on Monday morning, Bushiri who is still on the run from the South African police service since last year, said his 8 year old daughter has passed on. He was at the time engaged in a fight with the Malawian justice system (opposing extradition) and flying his daughter to Kenya supposedly for medical treatment.
He announced saying:
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing on of my daughter, Israella Bushiri. As a Father it was my desire to see her grow and serve the Lord, however, the will of God was for her to return back to Him. Israella was born during a time when my wife and I were going through great persecution, and she has lived her life witnessing what it means to fight and labor for the Lord despite trials and battles. She came at a time when we really needed her and through it all, she offered my wife and I, including the entire church great comfort and enlightenment. We are a church built on faith and if we aren’t careful to observe the ways of the Lord, we can mistake God’s will for God’s punishment. If things could be reversed we would have desired it to be so. However, the will of the Lord is above our desires. We have experienced it and have accepted it. We are a church of God’s love and strength and His love and strength will carry us forward from this day forward. Israella was a strong young girl who loved to worship and serve God, despite her young age. She was brilliant in her speech and possessed a divine excellency in the way she spoke and even tackled her studies.
Today, all those that encountered her testify that they felt a certain special aura that oozed divinity. She was a walking angel. In our darkest moments she gave us light and in our lowest moments, she lifted our spirits. I am grateful to God to have fathered an angel of such spirit and beauty. She will always be my little girl. When I spoke to the Doctor, he highlighted that if she had not been blocked at the airport the first time she needed to travel to Kenya for medical assistance, she wouldn’t have passed on. It is very disheartening and sad, therefore, that my daughter has become a victim of the persecutions that we are facing from South Africa. However, my wife and I, bow to God’s sovereignty and as this is his will, it could have happened anyway. Today, my wife and I choose not to mourn her but to celebrate her life. I do not believe that the devil could take the life of my daughter. She was a child of God and she passed on to be with Him according to His will. We prayed and we fasted, we commanded out- and in this week, when the Lord spoke to me that it will be a week of His will- His will has taken place.
By A Correspondent- South Africa is reportedly planning to set up a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive that will see 200 000 people being vaccinated per day, Reuters reports.
The plan which was revealed to Sunday Times by the country’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reportedly states that:
More than 2,000 vaccination sites will be set up.
The plan is based on the expected arrival of the first batch of 2.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses at the end of April.
The plan is expected to start in May
The South Africa Government had previously bought AstraZeneca before their research stated that it doesn’t work effectively for the COVID-19 variant that is dominant in South Africa.
By Kennedy Kaitano- With the Coronavirus situation slowly being contained, Zimbabwe should soon be preparing for by-elections to fill in parliamentary and council vacancies created following the recall of some elected parliamentarians and councilors by the now led Douglas Mwonzora MDC-T following a disputed inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December.
Zanu PF, MDC-T, and the MDC-Alliance and any other parties interested in fielding candidates will have an opportunity to measure their popularity since the Supreme Court ruling. This will settle the question of who is the genuine opposition to a corrupt regime in Zimbabwe.
I am aware though that Douglas Mwonzora, leader of MDC-T, has already indicated that his party will contest the by-elections as MDC Alliance, claiming that the MDC-T is the leader of the electoral pact which created the MDC Alliance and that the agreement is still intact.
He hasn’t thought well enough to notice that despite the fact that the original agreement said it was to last for five years, at least one of the partners, Transform Zimbabwe led by Jacob Ngaribvume, has disengaged, so there is no longer the electoral pact to talk about. What exists, instead, is a political party called the MDC Alliance that was formed post the death of Morgan Tsvangirai and that Party is led by Nelson Chamisa. Knowing Chamisa’s popularity, Douglas Mwonzora must be hoping to confuse the electorate to vote for his MDC-T disguised as the MDC-Alliance by error.
The MDC-T move is also meant to force the MDC Alliance to abandon its name. But Mwonzora will have enough memory to remember that we have had ballot boxes featuring Zanu PF and Zanu Ndonga before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and the MDC before, and we have had ballot boxes featuring MDC-T and MDC Alliance as late as 2018.
So, what if the MDC Alliance Party decides to use the name MDC-Alliance Chamisa and retain the Symbol used in 2018 in the by-elections? To Douglas Mwonzora’s disadvantage, the electorate is displaying desperation in trying to run away from the name of the political party he is unconstitutionally leading following an inquorate Extra-Ordinary Congress held in December 2020 for the mere sake of confusing the electorate.
Douglas Mwonzora’s move to want to use the MDC Alliance name will backfire as the angry electorate will aim to punish him and Zanu PF which he has developed so much love and faith in of late in the forthcoming by-elections.
It serves to fast track the demise of the outfit he leads, which is likely to be history after the 2023 elections. So, if Mwonzora and his friends insist on using the MDC Alliance until 2023 when they think the already expired MDC Alliance Agreement will expire, what name will they use in 2023? It shows they are sure that they won’t be in the game by 2023.
Mwonzora forgets that the MDC was formed to rescue oppressed Zimbabweans from Zanu PF oppression. One would be excused to have faith in Zanu PF is Zanu PF has changed, but Zanu PF remains as oppressive at it was at the time of the formation of the MDC, hence there is still a need for oppressed Zimbabweans to dislike Zanu PF for the situation they find themselves in. Yet Douglas Mwonzora publicly talks about his party’s unrestrained love and embrace for Zanu PF.
The only change in Zanu PF is that, even before Mugabe was overthrown in the November 2019 coup, the party has been reducing the rate at which it killed members of the MDC to give a false impression that it was no longer a violent party, yet Douglas Mwonzora knows very well that Zanu PF has increased it’s effective intimidation tactics. Douglas Mwonzora will have seen videos of Zanu PF officials telling villagers that if they voted for the MDC they will be severely dealt with.
Douglas Mwonzora will be aware that Zanu PF parliamentarians have blocked assistance meant for ordinary Zimbabwean because the assistance was being offered by suspected or known MDC Alliance officials. Douglas Mwonzora will know that ordinary Zimbabweans have been denied food and other forms of assistance post-Mugabe.
What has changed about Zanu PF is that it is now led by a man who sheds crocodile tears, while deep down he is more corrupt than the previous leader. Look at what is emerging now – the First Family being seen in the company of persons who have been corruptly been awarded tenders, in some cases in the First Family Home.
The latest arrested contact of President Mnangagwa is obviously the person given the job of ‘Honorary Consul’ of Zimbabwe to Belarus, Alexandre Zingman. One would expect the leader of a genuine opposition party not to fall in love head over heels with a party with a leadership suspected to be corrupt the way Douglas Mwonzora has done.
People of Zimbabwe must never be distracted from the original intentions of the formation of the MDC which was and should remain to be the liberation of the country from corrupt and ruthless leadership. It may have taken long to achieve that, partly because there are some who joined the party even at its formation stage for personal gain.
The struggle should never be about personal gain, and when leaders start to hero-worship oppressors, people will read between the lines, connect the dots and see for themselves the sincerity or otherwise of Douglas Mwonzora and his friends in MDC-T.
It would appear Douglas Mwonzora and his followers are going the same route of hero-worship which happened after independence when people hero-worshiped Mugabe and Zanu PF to the extent that we thought they were perfect.
Some people never learn. There are so many high suspicious things that are happening and we have never heard Mwonzora and his followers raise their voices against those things. Word has it that he is scared of ruffling feathers with the hope that the system will protect him from the alleged abuse of taxpayers’ money when he arranged the withdrawal of funds given to the MDC-T as part of the Political Parties Finance Act allocation.
The people will prevail! The proof lies in the by-elections to be held soon, not only to replace the parliamentarians and councillors who have been illegitimately been recalled but even a few who have passed on – may their souls rest in peace.
Gold panners have unleashed a reign of terror in Malungwane Village in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South attacking villagers with axes, machetes and knobkerries.
The development has seen the community members sleeping in maize fields fearing being attacked at their homes while asleep.
The gold panners referred to as AmaNkayi as they are said to be coming from Nkayi district, attacking villagers even during the day.
Last Saturday, the group is said to have set base in the nearby mountain from where it is launching forays into the village.
A Chronicle news crew on Thursday visited the village which is about 20km from Esigodini where the community narrated their terror stories.
So timid were the community members that only the village head Mr Zacchaeus Mlalazi, agreed to speak on record.
Upon arrival at the village at about 2pm, the news crew spoke to a woman who was at her homestead but as the crew started talking about the gold panners issue, she politely asked the team to go and talk to the men in the village, directing reporters where to go.
Following her instruction, the news crew visited another homestead where it found a male occupant who admitted that they indeed were having problems with illegal gold panners but also declined to comment about the issue.
He referred the news crew to the area’s village head who was not at home.
The news crew proceeded to a fourth homestead and luckily its occupants although declining to be identified opened up on the harrowing experiences at the hands of the illegal gold miners.
They said some of the villagers are now forced to sleep in the maize fields fearing being raided by the gold panners.
“We have a serious problem; I don’t want to lie to you, I understand when people say they don’t want to speak about it but that is the situation we have here. It’s a long standing problem, we are constantly being brutalised by a group of illegal gold panners that live in that mountain (showing the news crew the mountain). They come here armed with knives, machetes, knobkerries and axes or any dangerous weapon you can think of. They can walk in and just start beating up people for no reason. This happens especially when they have altercations in the gold belt,” said the villager.
He said last Saturday three community members were attacked with axes by the illegal gold panners.
“About a month ago they attacked someone and he fell unconscious in my yard. He was awakened by a light drizzle. The incidents are just countless. We have called the police but they never come. It’s as if we are a neglected community but it will be better if you talk to our village head, he knows all our cries and he will explain better. We don’t know if the police want to come on the ground when there is a body,” he said.
The news crew drove to the village head’s mine claim several kilometres from the village where the old man said he was distressed with the attacks happening to his people.
He said the community has lost faith with the law enforcement agents.
“We have tried to engage the police countless times but not even once have they responded to reports of attacks by these gangs.
“Our boys had to take matters into their hands a few days back and they fought back and captured two of the gang members. I personally phoned Esigodini police to come and take away the criminals but they said they had no car and asked us to bring the criminals to the police station. Our boys who arrested the gang members were part of the team that escorted them to the police station but things took a strange turn at the police station as our boys were arrested for assaulting them. They were charged for assault. The police officers even said the weapons that we brought as evidence belonged to our boys,” said Mr Mlalazi.
Police have expressed concern at the increasing number of people falling victims to fraudsters purporting to be selling forex or running investment schemes.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged members of the public to be vigilant to avoid falling victims to these fraudsters.
“Cases of people being duped of their money are now rampant. This issue of cyber fraud is on the increase hence the need for people to be vigilant. An increasing number of people are losing their hard-earned money to these criminals,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
The three, Asst Comm Nyathi said, had received a message from a fraudster in a WhatsApp group offering US$.
He said after the transaction, they discovered that the fraudster’s number was no longer working.
“This type of fraud is not unique to Bulawayo alone but all over Zimbabwe. In Bindura and Chinhoyi some people were duped after having been persuaded to join a WhatsApp group where they were promised to get lots of money in US$ as profits from an investment.
“They were asked to deposit money in local currency. Just after sending the money, they immediately got blocked,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He urged members of the public to be careful when dealing with people on social media.
Asst Comm Nyathi said members of the pubic should deal with established financial institutions to avoid the risk of losing money to fraudsters.
In February, more than 400 people besieged Mvuma Police Station baying for the blood of a 60-year-old woman who initiated a pyramid scheme that collapsed and prejudiced them of more than US$80 000.
Adds Zenda: "Devolution is about inclusion of previously marginalised communities.
"There should be a quota system to enhance transformative participation as all groups will be represented & voices of the formely voiceless will be heard, with no marginalisation."@GGENYC
Corrupt staff at some council clinics in Chitungwiza are selling Covid-19 vaccination cards without requiring people to be vaccinated, charging them between US$25 and $50.
As vaccination is free, and the free card comes with a free jab, it at first sight appears odd that there is a market. Apparently there are those who think they will need a card very soon, but who have no priority for vaccination, with cross-border traders being the main customers.
There could also be those who are so determined not to be vaccinated, but for employment or other reasons want a card. The cards being issued appear different.
Nurses, environmental health officers and other staffers have engaged agents who target those wanting a card and offer to issue them with the cards without receiving jabs.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned against such illegal practices and appealed to the public to report the fraud.
“People should come and report so that the law can take its course. Some people are definitely taking advantage of this Covid-19. Those people should be brought to book,” he said.
Acting on information gathered, this reporter went undercover to establish the truth and expose the rot.
The reporter posed as a cross-border and contacted an agent who solicits for clients on behalf of the clinic employees. The agent and the reporter agreed to meet on Wednesday March 24.
Using WhatsApp and sometimes text messages, the agent suggested they meet at corner of New Chitungwiza and Tilco Roads in Chitungwiza.
After meeting, the reporter was taken to Seke South Clinic where he waited for almost 10 minutes before meeting an employee whose EcoCash Number identified her as “Sekai Gabrile”.
After introductions by the agent, the woman handed the vaccination card to the reporter, but it had no names. The reporter paid the woman the US$25 she had charged. The woman then gave the agent US$5.
The card indicated that the reporter had received his first dose on February 25, 2021 and received the second dose on March 24, 2021. However, in actual fact, the reporter is yet to receive his first jab.
The woman deliberately did not write the reporter’s name, date of birth and age. She advised him to write the name and fill in other details on his own.
Director of Health and Environmental Services for Chitungwiza Municipality Dr Tonderai Kasu said they had not received any such cases, but stressed that council does not tolerate corrupt officials.
By A Correspondent- Police in Murewa have launched a manhunt for Denford Nyamande (35), who is suspected of being behind the double murder of Angella Bhunu (89) and Felix Taonana Chiodza (87).
The bodies of Bhunu, of Chidziva Village, and Chiodza of Marumisa Village under Chief Mangwende were found in different places with deep cuts all over their bodies.
Nyamande, who is Bhunu’s son, is suspected to have murdered the two elderly siblings after accusing the two of practising witchcraft.
An axe was found beside Bhunu’s body, while a hoe was found next to that of Chiodza.
Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the development.
He said:
The deceased were brother and sister and were staying at different homesteads and in different villages, while the suspect is one of the deceased’s son.
It is alleged that sometime back and on an unknown date, the suspect and his brother Daniel Nyamande had a misunderstanding with the two now-deceased persons accusing them of practising witchcraft.
The suspect reportedly went on to threaten the two deceased with death and sometime in January 2021, the issue was resolved by the village head of Marumisa Village.
Insp Mwanza added that Bhunu’s dead body was discovered on 22 March at her homestead by her daughter-in-law who had visited her to give her food at around 5 PM.
When one of Takaodza’s relatives went to his homestead to inform him about her sister death around 7 PM on the same day, he discovered his body lying with bloodstains on his shirt and floor.
Insp Mwanza urged people to respect the sanctity of life.
The bodies are at Murewa mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
By A Correspondent- A jealous Harare man faces a murder charge after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, a commercial sex worker, for seeing another man.
John Takundwa (26) on Saturday appeared before magistrate Barbara Mateko and was remanded in custody to April 9 pending indictment to the High Court for trial.
Allegations were that the unnamed now-deceased used to ply her trade along Mukuvisi River in Harare where Takundwa saw her with another man.
On March 24 this year, Takundwa allegedly had a misunderstanding with one Brian Makombe, whom he accused of having an affair with the now-deceased.
He threatened Makombe with unspecified action and left.
At around 7pm on the same date, Takundwa was seen walking with the deceased along Mukuvisi River near Magaba area.
The accused allegedly assaulted the deceased over infidelity and left her for dead.
The next day, the deceased’s naked body was found with a swollen face and bruises on the right cheek, as well as a deep cut on the left eye.
People around Mukuvisi area lodged a police report, leading to Takundwa’s arrest.-Newsday
In two weeks my boys have failed to secure their IDs at Market square as first timers, as early as 4am touts charge for queueing because the registrar is only serving 50 people a day. Citzens rights must be respected and protected. Please aid these young people @InfoMinZWpic.twitter.com/ftnaSpCyU8
By Leonard Koni| Hope this letter find you in good health wherever you are and I believe you are enjoying every minute of your heartbeat.
I really know that you are a real war veteran, son of the soil, a distinguished decorated retired soldier with many gongs, accolades and honours which you obtained during the liberation struggle.
I know in comradeship you fought side by side with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga and proved that you were such a very powerful cadre, hence they chose you to be the Deputy Minister of Defence in their government. I know it was done out of merit and not patronage or clansmaship. You are a very competent somebody.
I hear a lot of naysers and mafikizolos calling you all sorts of names like foul mouthed Victor Matemadanda who was always at loggerheads with the opposition has been thrown under the bus by the very person whom he rallied behind and helped in the removal of Robert Mugabe in the November 2017 coup.
I tried to connect the dots on the reason why the Honourable President relieved you of your very important duties in the revolutionary party and the reason was not satisfying at all. I was left shell shocked to hear that the President said you were very incompetent. Why did he assign an incompetent leader like you? I also doubt his competency as well.
I pray for you, our beloved ZANU PF national political commissar and deputy Minister of Defense Cde Victor Matemadanda as you take on your new ambassadorial post in Mozambique. Yours is a promotion not a demotion as you come at par in pecks with the likes of James Maridadi
I vividly remember that other day when you were poisoned and later survived. These people hate you and they do not want to see your success and therefore you must always watch your back.
I have been in Cabo Delgado Province Pemba Nanyimbi in Mozambique. It is such a good country which is bubbling with peace serve for these disturbances in the province. Their politics is different from ours which is full of hate. You are going to learn a lot from them.
My piece of advice is that go and hold yourself than being a political rabble rouser and motormouth which you were exhibiting here in Zimbabwe. Don’t ever try to interfere with their domestic politics.
Before you go make sure that you go through some etiquettes on how to hold such a post so that you won’t be found wanting again. I trust with your nostalgic intelligentsia you are going to make it.
During the time of the old dispensation Robert Mugabe also fired you and when you see two different coaches firing you, that means you must self introspect and correct the mistakes. Zimbabwe does not belong to the war veterans only or either to the revolutionary party.
I will remember you with your previous presser where you were all over Nelson Chamisa accusing him of being a tyranny and advising members of the opposition to vote for
Douglas Mwonzora as their leader was something unheard of in politics.
By A Correspondent- MDC activist, Mr. Madondo has narrated how his house was torched by alleged supporters of then-president, the late founding leader, Robert Mugabe in 2002.
Mr. Madondo said early 2002, Mugabe came to their area to campaign ahead of the presidential election and urged his supporters to be violent towards opposition MDC members.
He said later that night, his house was targeted since he was the chairperson of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) then led by the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Madondo said his wife and kids escaped through the window while his brother was caught and severely assaulted.
He said the unidentified assailants poured petrol and threw a grenade on the house which exploded almost immediately after Madondo’s family had escaped.
Madondo added that he reported the matter to the police but investigations never commenced.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has claimed that teachers’ salary negotiations are being hindered by the laws currently in place.
ZIMTA Chairperson Dr. Sifiso Ndlovu told ZBC News that current laws were limiting teachers’ advocacy efforts for better salaries.
He said:
Somebody will look from a distance and say what has the law to do with the salary of a teacher, it has everything to do with it because as it stands the law is not giving us enough room to talk about our salaries and conclude in agreement.
He speaks after ZIMTA, and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) in 2019 presented a petition that identified legislative indeficiencies that are supposedly hindering teachers salary negotiations.
Meanwhile, salary negotiations between the government and workers’ representatives, the NCCJ commenced recently but they ended in a deadlock after workers rejected the proposed salary increment which the government had tabled.
Workers want the employer to restore their 2018 salaries when most workers were being paid around USD500.
While the “incapacitated” workers are claiming that the government is not showing any commitment to improve their welfare, authorities say they are actually trying to improve all workers’ lives.
Speaking when parliamentarians and the Public Service Commission met teachers unions in Mutare this Saturday, the Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe reaffirming the importance of such open dialogue to ensure positive results.
He said:
We are trying to improve conditions of service for every civil servant. We have explained that we want to do but perhaps we have to explain better and we are doing so in formals with workers representatives.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education Honourable Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga said the meeting gave government workers a platform to indicate their grievances.
The meeting was convened as some teachers’ unions are threatening to take it to the streets to protest against “paltry salaries” and poor working conditions.
By A Correspondent| Hunger in Zimbabwe’s urban areas has increased over the past year with 2.4 million people now struggling to meet their basic food needs, according to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Council.
The lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 have dealt a severe blow to poor urban communities, many of whom were daily wage earners living hand to mouth.
While unable to find work in cities, the ban on travel has meant that seasonal employment in rural areas is no longer an option.
With work opportunities disappearing, the recent report states that 42% of urban households will not be able to meet their cereal requirements this year compared to approximately 30% for the same period in 2019.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director Francesca Erdelmann said “Reduced access to nutritious food has resulted in negative impacts for many. Families will find it difficult to put food on the table, most of them have been stuck at home and were not able to go to work, the fortunate ones will skip meals while those without will have to go to bed with an empty stomachs. For the most vulnerable people, hunger will have a lasting effect on their lives. The deteriorating hunger situation, caused by COVID19 threatens to be their biggest challenge.”
There has been a sharp decline in the standard of living across poor urban communities in Zimbabwe with 83% of urban households now below the cost of the minimum expected food items such as mealie meal, salt and cooking oil compared to 76.8% in 2019.
One of the challenges faced by the urban households were sharp price increases of basic commodities while the purchasing power of the Zimbabwe dollar has been eroded by inflation and negative economic effects of COVID-19.
WFP’s urban assistance programme delivers monthly cash transfers to 326,000 Zimbabweans across 23 urban areas and depending on availability of resources aims to scale up to reach 550,000 people living in the 28 worst affected and food insecure urban areas in the country.
Households are cash through electronic transfers and vouchers that enable them to buy food items from selected retailers.
Alongside the cash assistance, WFP is also implementing resilience building activities that support long-term development so that vulnerable communities are better able to withstand shocks. These include supporting urban agriculture such as mushroom and vegetable farming, building market linkages between rural-urban food value chains, setting up savings and lending groups and entrepreneurship training to support the establishment of small businesses.
WFP is working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe, UN agencies and NGO partners to implement the Urban Social Assistance and Resilience Building Programme and engaging with them on the development of longer-term shock-responsive social protection programme in urban areas.
WFP is able to deliver its Urban Social Assistance programme thanks to support from the UK, USA, ECHO, UN CERF, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan.
By A Correspondent| A group of Zanu PF youths who were once allies of embattled former Labour minister, Petronella Kagonye have turned their sword on her accusing the politician of fraud and duping them money.
The youths who formed a housing project with Kagonye when she was the Member of Parliament for Goromonzi South, allege that she defrauded them of more than US$450 000.
It is alleged that the youths formed a Joint venture company called Gobsbaden whilst she was still a sitting Zanu PF legislator between 2013 and 2018.
She allegedly used some youth and loyalists to register a company called Gobsbaden through which some empowerment projects were to be carried out.
It is alleged that she went around the constituency addressing youth and made them pay US$10 joining fees.
“Some of the signatories to the Gobsbaden account were Ms. Jenje and she was then instructed by Kagonye to withdraw monies periodically and give her for her personal use, ” the source said.
“At one point US$30,000 was withdrawn from the account and given to her to fund her brothers wedding,” the source said.
Peter Mubare who was her constituency Coordinator at the time and witness to the fraud has given a report to SACU.
A police source at SACU said the unit which is seemingly having a no- nonsense approach to graft are seized with the matter.
The youths through their leader Arthur Chidenhe have also reported the matter to SACU.
“So if one youth was made to pay US$10 joining fee and at one point she withdrew US$30000 how many youth were defrauded,” a source said.
Attempts to get a comment from Kagonye were fruitless while SACU refused to comment
By A Correspondent- Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri reportedly escaped from South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post with the help of his unnamed secret “lover”.
The allegations were allegedly made by an unnamed former member of Shepherd Bushiri’s church.
Bushiri’s South Africa-based lawyer, Ntsako Baloyi, however, said there were many theories on how Bushiri had escaped from South Africa where he is still wanted for alleged money laundering.
Baloyi said:
It’s not known to me how they left, as I deal with them on legal issues – not on how they decide to do things. To date, I can tell you that they’ve shared nothing about how they left with me. I suppose they’re not emotionally ready to do so.
Let me share with you: the same day that the prophet came out of prison, he started losing serious weight and when he was admitted to hospital here in South Africa, they told him he had poison in his blood.
The Bushiri’s have it on record, and evidence from the prison, that they were poisoned.
Earlier reports claimed Shepherd and his wife Mary escaped South Africa’s borders with the help of both the South African and Malawian governments.
It s further alleged that the preacher used the plane that was carrying Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera to run away.
By A Correspondent- A group of villagers in ward 18, Lupane district, is producing organic face and hair oils as part of a community empowerment initiative.
The villagers, who have registered a company Madojwa Enterprises, are now pushing for their products to be certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe.
Their company was formerly registered in December 2018.
They said the project had enabled them to fend for their families and communities through proceeds from the sale of the mongongo or manketti oil from mongongo tree nuts.
Its nuts are also edible.
On Sunday, the villagers told Southern Eye that their vision was to grow the company into one of the biggest organic oil suppliers in the country.
“We want to develop our families as well as our community. We are, however, facing a challenge of marketing our products due to network challenges,” Madojwa Enterprises chairperson Claudius Ngwenya (82) said.
The company comprises 18 women and three men and its market is currently in Lupane and Bulawayo.
To kickstart their business, the villagers were assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation which donated a crushing machine and built a factory where they are operating from.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) chipped in with US$5 000 after the group came first in a competition called SimukaPhakama Green Enterprise Innovation Challenge.
To mentor the small and medium enterprises, ILO partnered with Hand in Hand Zimbabwe (HHZ), a non-profit organisation, that helps resource-limited and marginalised people in rural communities, particularly women and youth, to create better livelihoods for themselves.
“As HHZ, we are delighted to work with ILO. As part of the partnership, we are supposed to mentor eight small-to-medium enterprises that are in Lupane, Bulilima, Gwanda, Esigodini and Zvishavane,” HHZ director of programmes Emmanuel Makiwa said.
Madojwa Enterprises members said they would use part of the money they won to buy a solarpowered crushing machine with a capacity of producing 120 litres of oil a day.
“This project is very helpful to us. For instance, I use the money we are generating from this project to pay school fees and fend for my family,” a member Magret Nyoni said.
Currently, the company produces about 50 litres of mongongo oil per month.
Southern Eye also visited Zebras group, situated in Matshiya ward in Lupane, which is into paraffin manufacturing using discarded plastic bottles.
Zebras chairperson Siphethangani Dube said following business mentorships they received from HHZ, they were now producing 80 litres of paraffin a month.-Newsday
I hope this letter finds you in good health and believe that you are enjoying every minute of your heartbeat.
I know that you are a “real” war veteran and son of the soil.
I know in comradeship you fought side by side with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and proved that you were such a very powerful cadre, hence they appointed you Defence deputy minister under the new dispensation.
I know it was done out of merit and not patronage or clansmaship. You are a very competent somebody.
I hear naysayers and mafikizolos calling you all sorts of names saying the foul-mouthed Matemadanda who always picks fights with the opposition has been thrown under the bus by the very person he helped in the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in the November 2017 coup.
I tried to connect the dots on the reason why the President relieved you of your duties in the revolutionary party and the reason was not satisfying. I was left shocked to hear that you were incompetent. Why did he assign an incompetent leader like you? I also doubt his competency as well.
I pray for you as you take on your new ambassadorial post in Mozambique. Yours is a promotion not a demotion as you come at par in pecks with the likes of James Maridadi.
I vividly remember that other day when you were poisoned and survived by a whisker. These people hate you and they do not want to see you rising politically.
I have been to Mozambique, it is such a good country which is bubbling with peace, serve for these Islamic disturbances in Cabo Delgado. Their politics is different from ours which is full of hate. You are going to learn a lot from them.
My advice is that go and hold yourself than become a political rabble-rouser and motormouth which you had become known for here in Zimbabwe. Don’t try to interfere with their domestic affairs.
Before you go, make sure that you go through some etiquettes on how to hold such a post so that you won’t be found wanting again. I trust you are going to make it.
During the old dispensation, Mugabe also fired you and when you see two different coaches taking turns to fire you, that means you must self -introspect and correct the mistakes.
Zimbabwe does not belong to the war veterans only or Zanu-PF.
By A Correspondent- Gweru born self-proclaimed prophet, Gerry King, who once worked with the Joyous Celebration music outfit, has set up a recording studio in an effort to uplift up-and-coming artistes.
The King Ministries founder told NewsDay Life & Style that the initiative was born after realising that the city had abundant talent which was not being tapped into.
“My efforts to set up the studio were encouraged by the realisation that there is a lot of talent in Gweru. This city is at the heart of the nation, but most gifted artistes including the likes of DJ Tamuka, Oskido and Simplex among others had to leave the city for lack of recognition,” he said.
“I started Gerry King Music Production in 2015 and have worked with a number of upcoming artistes such as Leona Kylie and DJ Smart whom I regard as the best producer to come from the Midlands capital. Together with DJ Smart, we have produced the famous Parapata song performed by Nathan.”
He said the studio would soon be launched in Gweru.
“I am committed to helping young and gifted artistes shine to international standards,” he said.
The prophet has also helped teenage Gweru-born up-and-coming artiste, Leona “Lilie” Furusa find feet in the music industry.
