A 29-YEAR-OLD gospel artiste has sensationally claimed she quit her faith and gospel to satisfy the desires of her flesh.

Evidence Jiri confessed dating married men including several men of cloth and musicians during her gospel music career when she released two albums namely Ngandikundi in 2008 and Ndirwirei Jesu in 2010.

Jiri, who has turned to sex work, made headlines when she clashed with Mathias Mhere over his song Favour claiming that she was the one who penned it but delayed releasing it.

“I am a musician and will remain a musician but I am no longer iChihuren to gospel music (sic) ;because I have smeared my garments with fornication and adultery,” said Jiri.

“Music is within my veins and the same veins have dirty blood of sinning and this forced me to dump gospel music and turn to Afro-fusion.

“One of my songs I released soon after dumping gospel music is  Hachisekanwi and I penned this following stigma I suffered over turning to sex work.

“To be honest with you I bedded several married men, some musicians and even some men of cloth while singing gospel in the name of support.

“Chivi chinosvika pakukura munyama zvekuti unoremerwa kuimba zva Mwari saka ndakarega ndakanga ndazara nekuipa.

“Ndakaona kuti kunevafundisi vanemukurumbira vanoda kuzviita kunge vatsvene asi vachirarama muzvakaipa.

“Ndine vafundisi nemaporo­ ta vashoma vandinoziva vanoratidza kuti vanezvipo asi vanhu venyama kwete ana holier than thou vanoita zvivi pakawanda,” said Jiri.

Jiri is set to release a six track album Nhamo ndimirire next month and on some of the tracks she collaborated with Peter Moyo and several artistes based in South Africa.

Jiri urged her followers to be safe from the deadly Covid-19 which she said claimed some of her relatives.

“Covid-19 is real at first I thought it was a joke but I believed it was real when it claimed my close relatives and friends,” said Jiri.

“I would like to urge my fans and my gossip followers to keep themselves safe from the pandemic by observing health measures set to curb the continued spread of it,” she said.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Khanyi Mbau got tongues wagging after it emerged that she’s apparently romantically linked to alleged Zimbabwean fugitive and millionaire, Kudzai Terrence Mushonga.

In a now-deleted post, Khanyi shared snaps of her and Kudzai looking all loved up.

Even though the reality TV star didn’t say much about the cozy snap, all arrows pointed to them being head-over-heels.

Comments from those close to Khanyi, including her brother Lasizwe, also spoke a thousand words.

“Kwa, love lives here,” Lasizwe said.

Other industry mates such as Celeste Ntuli, Ntando Duma and Dawn Thandeka King posted heart emojis.

Before making things “Insta official”, Khanyi posted a series of snaps looking smitten, but blurred out the man’s face.

After Khanyi’s most recent snap on Instagram, social media detectives instantly recognised Kudzai, who is known to be part of the Zimbabwean “rich gangs” of men under 40 who drive high-end luxury cars, party in SA by night but sleep in Harare in the wee hours because they have access to private jets, rented or owned.

The story about how their money is made is usually that they’re in “fuel, gas, mining, government tenders or transport”.

According to TshisaLIVE’s Zimbabwean correspondent, the most prominent of the “rich gangs” was the late Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure who died in a road accident with three other people when his Rolls-Royce Wraith hit a tree.

When asked about Kudzai being Khanyi’s new bae, a Zimbabwean who moves in rich gang circles said, “We are all in shock. What we are hearing as his story is probably lies, but for Khanyi to entertain him he must have something solid in South Africa.”

Kudzai is also on the Zimbabwean police wanted list. On June 13 2017 at age 25, Kudzai, along with friends, Tatenda Mandimutsira of Dzivaresekwa 2 in Harare and Njabulo Ndebele of Brook Village in Borrowdale, became fugitives of the law.

Their alleged crime was siphoning $166,000 (R2.4m) from a microfinance company after they allegedly cooked bank statements and papers purporting they had an airline, Dream Air Company, which was later found to be fake. The alleged crime happened in September 2016.

Police spokesperson at the time, assistant commissioner Charity Charamba, now ambassador to Zambia, said, “These suspects are wanted for a case of fraud involving $166,000, which occurred in Harare on September 10 2016.

“The suspects purported to be employees of Dream Air Company, which is non-existent, and applied for a loan from the complainant who is a registered micro-financier.”

It is alleged that in their con they paid a few installments to buy trust, but their luck ran out when they wanted an additional $37,500 (R550,763) and the micro-financier decided to conduct a background check.

They were arrested and appeared in court, but skipped bail after being released from custody.

Detective Assistant Inspector Mandlenkosi Zhou, from the police commercial crimes division responsible for the case, was not readily available for comment.

However, police sources told TshisaLIVE the warrant was still active and there’s a notice that anyone with information should report to the police national complaints desk about the trio’s whereabouts.

Khanyi and Kudzai had not responded to TshisaLIVE’s request for comment on the allegation against Kudzai at the time of publishing

By A Correspondent- The managing director at National Ballistics Arms and Security is on the run after she attempted to conceal evidence of a pistol that was used by a bottlestore owner in Chitungwiza to shoot and kill a patron, whom he had caught dancing with his female friend outside the joint.

Memory Masiiwa allegedly originated a receipt that shows that the pistol used by Ngoni Rufu was in the custody of Ballistics Arms and Security on the day he allegedly shot and killed Stanford Chikumba outside Corner Bottlestore at Murisa Business Centre in Seke, Chitungwiza.

Masiiwa, in a bid to help Rufu conceal evidence, allegedly took the Barreta 9mm pistol to Ballistics Arms and Security and originated a receipt to appear as if it was in her custody for service at the time Chikumba was shot.

Her bid to conceal evidence hit a snag after Rufu was arrested over the shooting incident.

Masiiwa then disappeared from the reach of the arm of the law.

Rufu, who was being represented by lawyer Mr Phillip Hamunakwadi of Hamunakwadi and Nyandoro Law Chambers was taken to Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Court charged with murder and defeating the course of justice.

He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya, who remanded him in custody to February 17 and advised him to approach the High Court for bail application.

Circumstances leading to Rufu’s arrest are that on January 30 at around 11pm, Stanford Chikumba was drinking beer along with his brothers, Shepherd, Edmore and Forward at Corner Bottle Store, owned by Rufu.

It was when Rufu arrived driving a Mazda Attenza (AEQ 6494) with three ladies aboard and went to park in front of his bottlestore.

They then started playing music before Rufu disembarked and went into his shop.

After some minutes, Rufu is said to have returned to his car in the company of a bar lady while holding beer.

Upon his return, Rufu found the late Stanford Chikumba dancing with one of his three female friends.

It did not go down well with Rufu who then charged towards the late Chikumba and slapped him twice in the face.

Chikumba senced danger, took his brother Shepherd and started walking home.

Rufu allegedly took one of the ladies and drove his car towards the late Chikumba and Shepherd, who were said to be about 50 metres away from the bottlestore.

The court heard that Rufu then fetched his Barreta 9mm pistol and shot the late Chikumba once on the head.

Chikumba later died at Chitungwiza Hospital.

On February 3, Rufu realised that his pistol was wanted by police as an exhibit and connived with Masiiwa to take the firearm to Ballistics Arms and Security and issued a receipt to appear as if the pistol was in custody at the time of committing the offence.

The court heard that on the same day, Masiiwa instructed Caroline Laisa Mangara to indicate on the receipt that the pistol was left at their offices on January 28 for profiling and service.

Mangara allegedly complied.

On the same day, Rufu armed himself with the receipt and surrendered himself at Dema police station in connection with the January 30 shooting incident.

Upon being interviewed by the police Rufu allegedly indicated that he was not in possession of the pistol since it was in the custody of Ballistics Arms and Security for profiling and servicing.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa is next week expected to announce new lockdown measures with the current regulations expiring Monday.

The President said this today at the first Political Actors Dialogue executive meeting at State House in Harare this morning.

“In the coming week, I will be announcing how we are proceeding with regards to the lockdown.

“This will be informed by scientific data and recommendations from our health experts,” he said.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Norton legislator Temba Mliswa who was arrested during a live presser yesterday for violating COVID-19 restrictions has been released on $20 000 bail and the state did not oppose bail in the matter.

Mliswa was fined $20 000 and ordered to surrender his passport and report to the police once a week.

The Norton legislator was arrested Thursday at his Borrowdale home, on allegations that he violated the national lockdown protocols by convening an unlawful gathering,

He was addressing the media where he revealed a raft of allegations including that State Security Minister Owen Ncube and July Moyo were trying to get rid of President Mnangagwa.

Mliswa said he was sure justice will prevail in his case as he said his arrest was motivated by the fact that he was going to expose some powerful people.

By A Correspondent- Housing cooperative beneficiaries who are facing eviction because they built structures on land designated for something else by the city fathers have fingered the ruling party in their chaotic housing situation.

A member from a Kuwadzana housing cooperative who claims to be a party official has said they got the stands from Zanu PF some 5 years ago:

This is unfair. The party assured us during the 2016 by-elections and we got in with that assurance, now this.

A Zanu PF-affiliated co-operative in Parkridge West Housing Consortium wrote a letter to Harare Harare provincial development co-ordinator Tafadzwa Muguti and said the land they were occupying was allocated to them some 7-8 years ago as the ruling party was planning to neutralize what they called MDC invaders:

These residents were allocated through Zanu PF … around 2013-2014, with the agenda to neutralise the MDC invaders, who had invaded the same farm around 2012 (sic)

22 stands of these MDC invaders were later regularised by the MDC-dominated council, while the Zanu PF members were denied regularisation

Unfortunately, the settlement on the Zanu PF-dominated side was hijacked by selfish land barons who started selling land to other people and subdivided the remainder of the farm into 22 co-operatives,” the consortium leaders said.

Apparently, the farm belongs to the City of Harare. No formal registration was done to the city council by these land barons, but they were milking money from people between 2014 and 2017

Meanwhile, Zanu Pf has released a statement saying they are in full support of the government’s decision to demolish illegal structures in urban councils despite some of the cooperatives being owned by some of their party members.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The ruling party Zanu PF has thrown housing cooperatives under the bus as they have announced they are in support of the government’s decision to demolish illegal structures including some under housing cooperatives owned by party members, Newsday reports.

Zanu PF through its spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo released a statement that stated that it was in full support of the President’s decision to deal with the issue of land barons: The revolutionary party Zanu PF fully supports government efforts and firm action as pronounced by His Excellency President Cde ED Mnangagwa on the issue of land barons and illegal settlements in urban councils notably Harare, Chitungwiza, Gweru, Mutare and other towns.

The sprouting of illegal settlements in wetland areas, riverbanks and other prohibited areas is both criminal and inhuman. Wetlands and riverbanks must be protected at all costs. Indeed, the destruction of wetlands worsens the impacts of floods as is currently being experienced in many parts of the country.

People residing on a City of Harare farm in Crowborough have up to 2 April to remove their structures or be evicted by the City of Harare.

The issue of land barons and preserving wetlands is according to the president’s press secretary high on President Mnangagwa’s priority list since he came back from his annual leave earlier this month..

By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye is investigating the case of a woman who was found murdered in Zengeza early this morning, a few hours after after her arrest for breaching curfew regulations. She had been arrested for violating the curfew regulations which state that everyone is supposed to be indoors by 6pm.

The victim was coming from her sister’s house, and was arrested, just after 6pm. Many people have been struggling to keep up with the regulations due to transportation constraints.

She had her phone and handbag and a paper bag with some mango fruit.

The Police who arrested her are from Zengeza, close to Zimpost, near Emmanuel Makandiwa’s church. (Town centre)

From there she was discovered in the morning at the roadside. Her body was found cut in pieces. Some witnesses are saying she was raped because her body was found in a stripped state.

According to eye witnesses, other ladies arrested with the victim, who with her at the time, allege that they had escorted her from the police station at a round midnight…The victim was saying she is afraid since it was at 12am. Along the way, the ladies told her they are now leaving her having taken her far enough. (She was walking towards the Aquatic Complex, and the other ladies were walking in the opposite direction).

A source told ZimEye: If the people who attacked her were thieves, how could they at the same time leave her with her wallet and handbag?

Meanwhile, many in the area say they witnessed an unusual incident- a group of police officers roaming around the area at around 5am.

The husband, identified as Frank Milton, woke up in the morning looking for his wife only to find out that she had been murdered.

A comment from the police was not available at the time of writing.

– More to follow

WHO WERE THESE ATTACKERS? CONTACT ZIMEYE RIGHT NOW

By A Correspondent- A donation of water pumping equipment worth ZWL$ 20 million that was made by President Mnangagwa to the City of Harare was reportedly stolen, Business Times reports.

President Mnangagwa had donated the equipment that reportedly weighed around 70 tonnes to help the city fathers tackle the worsening water crisis in the capital.

The development was confirmed by the City’s spokesperson Michal Chideme who said the case was reported to ZRP:

A report has since been received and investigation is now in progress. A report was made at ZRP Warren Park on January 11, 2021 and no arrests have been made yet

A source that spoke to the publication accused city officials of stripping the president’s donation to the city and said: Rotors are heavy and not something that one can just put in his pocket and leave the premises.

This operation required cranes for loading and that means this was done in the full view of a lot of people.

The potential buyers of these rotors are commercial farmers and mines. This type of operation means there was a ready buyer.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa’s Special Anti Corruption Unit is reportedly investigating the issue and no arrests have been made so far.

Hon. Temba Mliswa with his lawyer Musindo Hungwe of Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandevere, The Firm at Borrowdale Police Station awaiting transfer to court

It’s a long story that I couldn’t say in one day, but I will try to cut it short. In 2017 around July I was working as a kitchen chef in Marondera for a white man, so as I was working for him things were working well and I was staying near the vice president(then the Commander In Chief of the Defence Forces)‘s house in Water Groove, Marondera.

As I was staying there on one day, something struck me into shock, on a day I had forgotten my charger, and I had to go back and collect my charger, my phone was going to switch off during the day. I came back home and began looking for my phone charger, I started looking for it inside my jackets. I couldn’t find it and then I discovered inside one of the jackets inside the storage some money, about USD870.

When I discovered this money, I immediately went under shock because I know the family cash flow as any breadwinner would. There is no way you can suddenly find money in the house from nowhere; So I took the money so that I would ask my wife where the money has come from.

When she discovered that the money was no longer where she had lifted she came to me saying that the money belongs to some church fund. Somehow I believed what she was saying because as you would know ordinarily, this is my wife who I have never had problems with before.

But then suddenly something hit my mind which was the denominations in which this money was in. These were straight $100 notes, something totally inconsistent with the type of denominations that you would expect church money to come in because when people give money they give it in smaller donations of a varied spectrum.

But anyway, I just gave her a benefit of the doubt. So later on after completely forgetting about this matter, it was on a Sunday when there was a sudden phone call that my wife received. My wife kept cutting this person while I was waiting in the passage. At this time I said to myself something strange has to be happening. When my wife had gone into the bathroom I checked on her handset and found that the number of the person who had telephoned had been deleted. This was really extraordinary as I found it. I said to myself something is very fishy. I went to her WhatsApp hoping to check under the same number and found out that it was locked.

I later reset the whole phone, so that I can obtain all the images and messages and remove the password. When I had managed to ‘break’ into the phone, and reinstalled the WhatsApp, bringing back the entire backup, I was shocked to see the level of evil my wife had reached. I saw the number of the person my wife was talking to; they appeared as if they are a mediator but at the same time it was clear in the communication that she was bedding this person. This person bore the title, Mukuru.

I quickly restored the handset bringing back to its original status so that I would not immediately alarm my wife. I knew very well the chats I had deleted the chats that should be restored so that she would not find out that I now know a lot of things. She did not immediately discover, only to ask after a few days saying, what did you do to my phone?

It was now in November 2017, she was now leaving the house going away for long periods, until the woman wen called the landlady asked me: has your wife obtained a job somewhere or what? At this time my child needed some things bought in the town centre.

The “landlady” asked me saying: these days she is going in and out too randomly, during the weekends; is your wife doing some work during the weekends or what? I asked my landlady to help me because I could not figure out what is happening and needed assistance.

The landlady said to me that my wife has said she has obtained some part-time job during the weekend. The other day there is a day when she delayed coming home in the evening. I tried her cell phone while she was not at home, and she answered saying that she is at home. I asked her to tell me where exactly she is at home. She quickly switched her phone off. later on when she came back she claimed that she had been at church. At that time I did her up and then she told me everything that she has been doing. She said she had been at one time at the shopping centre and there is a car that followed him and the person inside called her. The driver asked for her number so according to her more telephone calls started coming through and eventually she was invited to a car which had two people inside and they said that we are just going to have some time out. She said that she was told she’s being taken to Masaiti Lodge, she was made to wait for about 10 minutes and then Constantino came to the room and introduced himself until he proposed to me, even though I was in panic mode.

He promised a lot of things and proposed love to me ordering me that I should keep quiet. He said that he wanted to sleep with me and gave me $100.

After that he assigned two men to escort me home.

The two men then drove away and went to drop her.

This was the beginning and afterwards, they started meeting regularly. She said she was even telephoned and told to come to the capital city Harare, but she was fearing that it could make her fail to return on time as this is far away. She says she then refused.

During the coming week she says that that is when things started happening. They started having sex.

When she has given me this confession I got really mad. The only thing that I did was I got out and travelled to the vice president’s house. The property was guarded by soldiers. Let me be clear with you I knew those soldiers because we used to smoke marijuana together. So most of the time we used to agree and the vice president rarely used to live there. So when I got there I asked for the vice president’s number. At that time she had refused with the other number, I asked for is number but the soldier I was talking to refused saying that doesn’t even have his number. The guy then asked me why I was interested in speaking with the general. I did not give him specifics. I told him that it is personal but I was told that they do not have the number.

I became frustrated and the next time there was an opportunity I would struggle again because when he would be around they would close the street, when they are doing something there.

So the other day when he was there I went to the property and ask to enter. The vice president had some Chinese people inside the property. At this time I decided I am going to make some noises. I determined in my heart that I am prepared to die for this. This was because I was so hurt why someone would take advantage of my wife. But in all that noise no one came out and the soldiers later came to scare me off and I ended up leaving. So after about a week I then travelled to Chitungwiza, I took some time off to travel to that area because that is home. When I went back there I spoke to my family elders who including father and my brother who lived in Kariba. So after this I had returned to Marondera, and I was now arranging, so that I can ask for some time off so that I could take my wife to her home and divorce her. That is when a vehicle then came to my house a Toyota Hilux it was grey in colour and when they came the rang the intercom, and then they went to park somewhere where they were not visible. So, (sic) is the one who traveled to the gate and asked if I am around and was told that yes I am there. So it was said by the boss, the person at the gate is Mr Mashungu. The man said that they wanted to see me because they have any event so they need to hire a chef. So when she came back to me, I responded saying I’m not that familiar in this town for people to know me that much, so where did this person’s get to know me then?

When I was watching from the kitchen that is when I noticed that there was a vehicle that was parked in a hidden corner so I asked the question why such a car was parked is if in hiding. So I then sent for someone to check for me who these people are and what they are up to.

So after this I became frightened but the person who had the car had already seen me and they started screaming asking for me to come forward if I want a job. The man said that he was in a hurry so wanted to know if I am interested in a job or not. At this point I kinda believed the man, and then I said my boss is around they do not allow me to do that so give me your phone number. The man raised his voice to confidently demand that I should come closer. It became clear to me that this person cannot be genuine. The man then announced saying if I do not open the gate they are going to do something against me. So at this point I then ran away from the gate rushing into to the inner property. I jumped the Dura wall, all the way into the past house that was behind the property. The neighbours of my workplace new me and I knew the place so I continued rushing, luckily I saw no one at the property so I continue rushing getting to a place called Wise Owl. I was now out of reach of this person but the only mistake I did was that I left my cell phone in the kitchen so I had no communication whatsoever so I started looking for someone who could phone my number. I asked for my boss to give me an update and they said that the person has since left. They said that the man just drove away they did not announce that they are leaving. So at the time I was told it became clear to me that something is happening. So I then asked for for someone to be sent with my cell phone so that I can meet them at Fairview. I knew the time that this other woman was leaving the property, so when this eventually happened, we did meet and I managed to get my phone so I travelled home. When I travelled home my heart was pumping fast. So in such a situation you will be unstable. My heart’s continued beating to the point that when I got home, as soon as I got home I was told that someone was looking for me, I asked my wife if she knows these people and she said she does not know them.

After this I left and I said it’s ok.

After about 2-3 days and you know, in such circumstances you would be pissed off and you will do certain things. I started posting things on Facebook. That is when I received a warning from a man who said to me why don’t I relax because I could risk a lot of things and it is better to be calm.

So I then went back to the website and deleted everything. what I did for sure was I wrote a story and went to put it in the vice president’s letterbox. I stated in the letter “just because we do not have money does not mean we are not able to keep our women. “

So in December that is when I was told by a certain young man… who worked at Masaiti, his house was in that same Street. He knew Sekuru DB, and Sekuru DB*** is the one who had organised this same job for me. He also lives in Weston park. That is when I was then told your wife I am seeing her at Masaiti, at work at the farm, but I am not understanding what she will be doing because I see her being dropped by a certain car and then see is picked up by another one. But I do not understand what she will be up to in all that.

So after this I then became angry and got drunk and I ended up beating my wife up. I thoroughly bashed her, so after that she said to me I am nothing I am a mere fly and even if I die she does not care. It could soon easily happen, so she threatened me. she then announced a lot of things including that I am a miserable fool. Then after that I said ok so if I am miserable then I shall leave you.

So these people sent by the vice-president started looking for me. On one day I had travelled to buy some vegetables while driving the company car, and while on the way, there was a black D4D that came in front to block my way, I heard the acceleration of that car and you know in such circumstances, you hear that the manner in which it is accelerating is unusual. So when it had blocked me I reversed when the vehicle was trying to turn my way I reversed at a corner and when I did I drove in the opposite direction of where I was going. At this point it became clear to me that there is no way I can be able to speed away from such a car. I took my keys and my phone which was in my pocket and decided to get out of the car and run. I jumped the durawall of a hospital and entered the hospital and ran all the way across to a place where there are flats and continued running and went to jump another wall. When I was now on another side I stopped and started making phone calls. I felt let me call a friend of mine who is a police officer who I decided not to give him too many details and he rushed to help me. I gave him my keys and asked him to go and collect my car. So they travelled to collect the car which they did, they brought it to me immediately.

After this I quickly rushed to go and drop the car at my workplace and decided to run away because my heart was now beating fast; so when this had happened, I went to inform my uncle, he was a member of the MDC party, and was compaigning to be an MP for Buhera.

My uncle told me to just avoid these people because I am not known and due to that I could be killed at any time. He said that because I am not well known I could be killed and no one would ever search for me because I am not popular.

So on one day while I was with my uncle while we were driving in Mutare road, we got out at a roadblock that is usually mounted by police officers in Marondera, the first road block while you are travelling from the capital city Harare, that is where we came out of. That road gets you straight to the house of a certain pastor. When I got there when we were now in the town, that is when we suddenly saw in front of us, a car that wanted to stop us.

I noticed this car and I told my uncle not to stop because this is one of the cars that had been chasing me before. But my uncle did not listen to me, as soon as I noticed the danger, I physically ran out of the car and started fleeing. I passed through a certain place where there is a man who keeps snakes, and even though I was running those men who were chasing me continued screaming for me to stop, and according to my uncle those men were serious because they literally assaulted my uncle blaming him for allowing me to escape.

My uncle says one of them was assaulted at the ribs. Until the day my uncle died he continued complaining about that same rib.

I then disappeared for that day and decided to run away completely this time. When I started seeking for advice I spoke to my nephew who works in the military and told me because of the state of my case the best thing was for me to run out of the country. He said that this is because these people will clearly be looking for me. I was also told by my father that I am being looked for in Chitungwiza.

I was now sleeping at a certain friend of mine in Chetombo. So when I had done these things, my nephew told me that no matter how much work I could get in the country I could lose my life these people would find me. So that very same month I decided to run to Mozambique, to Beira. I had a few bucks with me. I decided to look for a house. I chose that I would pay rent for 3-months and during that period I would then navigate around to see what I was to do afterwards.

At work hours now in the behaviour of literally sneaking into the property, using the other way and I was no longer using Fairview. So I think even my wife thought that I am no longer around I have run away. So they travelled as far as Chitungwiza, and when they came, I was later asked by my family the people who are looking for you they seem the mission to arrest you or something what exactly did you do? So I replied that I did not do do anything.

That is when I quickly decided to relocate to Mozambique. so when I was now over that country I was now confirming with D*. I started worrying about my systems because I would not be able to get a job. I was now worried under that feeling that someone is possibly watching me. I started feeling unsafe. So I then decided to go to Simango’s opposition. I went to present my case and the told me the only thing you can do is to try and find some employment that can help you to get immigration papers because if you return to Zimbabwe it is risky. But then how would I get immigration papers when I had no passport? So I went back to Zimbabwe when I went back home I went to the MDC Alliance. They recorded me the version of my story. When had done that they said to me the best thing we can do is to help you with a letter to get out of the country. I think they did their own investigations and verified with the relatives. My uncle was well known and I was given a letter but I did not have money to travel anymore. I was now broke. So I started living in Glen Norah until I got a job to drive trucks at Cairns. I continued living a very quiet life. After some time, and everything had gone well, I started communicating with my wife asking how the kids are. I would send money through someone else to make it appear as if I had sent the money from outside the country.

But I honestly needed to meet my children. But that was a terrible mistake I made. When I did that, she then began figuring out that I was local. the other day I suddenly decided to travel to where she said she was in the capital city.

I just travelled. I did not give her time to to think through or figure out where I was coming from. The only mistake that then happened, and at this time I was not driving around the country so well with no problems, and I had abandoned my career of a chef. A problem then happened when I had an accident in Marondera. I hit the car of one of the permanent secretaries. When this had happened, they wanted money and I had none. Another problem was that at the truck I was driving was brand new and it did not have insurance. I then tried to address the problem and offered to fix their car. After that we dealt with the police and and the cops said to me this person just wants to take money from you so why don’t you just tell them that you have your own mechanic who will fix the car. I spoke to that lady and she repeated to me that she wants money. So I said please talk to my boss. So that day both of us were told to submit our insurance to the police. But it turned out that they also did not have insurance, they were driving the car belonging to one of the permanent secretaries. So this is when all the problems started.

The other day I was carrying bales coming from Harare, I had relocated to Mutate, that is when I noticed that I had been stopped at the last road block that you see after leaving the town on your way to Mutare. The police told me that I am “the one who is being looked for concerning a recent accident.”

The number that the police officer gave me did not go through but the other one that’s the cop dialled went through. That is when I I was told that the number has gone through. I asked which people are looking for me. they said that there is a big boss who want to meet you but is not from Marondera. They said the shef is not from the police, but loves in Marondera in Weston Park.

At that time I asked which shed wants to see me. At that time there was a white Navara that arrived without number plates. The car came and blocked my truck. I Immediately started running, and I left my keys inside the ignition. I just fled.

When I had fled my truck was taken to Macheke Police. When they took it they filed against the truck saying that it had been impounded because of an accident. So I then asked someone I was working with to go and get my truck.

When this guy went to pick it up it was said that there is a fine that needs to be paid and for the truck to be released they wanted me to physically present myself. So they later agreed to release the truck but they demanded a fine. My colleague agreed to pay the fine. When my friend brought the truck to me I then took it and drove all the way to Mutare. As soon as I had arrived in Mutare, I was telephoned and asked if I want a job, and that if so, I should come to Allied Timbers.

I said yes. When I got there yeah while I was waiting for the assignment I saw another car waiting for me at a distance of about 100m. I saw the person calling me at that distance asking me to get near where he was and I immediately understood that this is the same person who called me for a job. I concluded within myself that this person cannot be genuine why are they they standing away from where I am if they truly want to give me a job? If someone wants to give me a job at allied timbers, that person would be physically inside the property not outside. So I got out of the truck and started running away. When I’d run away, it was now very clear to me that something fishy is happening. I then spoke to D*, who then advised me that the people who are chasing me likely to be mere zealots who are trying to please Chiwenga. I was told that they will keep on doing that until they get me, so I should leave the country.

I now had a girlfriend who was now pregnant. I decided not to leave my girlfriend, I told her I need to get out of the country and it will not be right for me to leave you. So I had a little bit of money with me. So when I had noticed this has happened, I quickly got out of the country with a pair of clothes that I had with me. I jumped the border I am with my wife right now this is the story.- ZimEye

By A Correspondent- Four police officers in Bulawayo were arrested for allegedly demanding and receiving a car as a bribe to free a suspect who was in custody for unlawful entry and theft.

The officers approached Selby Nkala, the suspect’s boyfriend, after their attempt to get the bribe from Shuvai Mutimwi, a relative of the suspect, proved abortive.

The suspect, Sakhile Dube’s boyfriend Nkala agreed to pay the bribe, but asked for time to sell his car, a VW Polo, for US$500 — the amount that was being demanded by the police officers.

It is alleged that the car was then bought for US$500 by one of the accused, Tendai Ndaveni (48), previously in charge at CID Hillside Police Station.

This was heard when Ndaveni and his accomplices Emias Matsheza (45), Shepherd Ndawana (42) and Faith Ncube (32), who were all reportedly stationed at ZRP Hillside Police Station, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Stephen Ndhlovu, facing charges of bribery and criminal abuse of office.

They were granted $5 000 bail each and will be back in court on 26 March.

It is reported that on 17 November 2020, at around 2pm, the accused arrested Dube in connection with an unlawful entry and theft case and detained her at ZRP Hillside Police Station.

They then demanded US$500 to let her off the hook.

The court heard that Dube then referred them to Shuvai Mutimwi, who failed to raise money before she approached Dube’s boyfriend Nkala, who offered to sell his car and it was allegedly bought by Ndaveni for US$500, the amount which was allegedly demanded by the accused.

The sealing of the illicit deal saw Dube being released from custody.

During investigations and upon their arrest the vehicle in question was recovered from Ndaveni.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- An 18 year old teenager from Mberengwa has been dragged to court after she dumped her seven-month-old baby in a bush following a misunderstanding with her husband.

Charity Mpofu of Clinton Mine in Mberengwa pleaded guilty to the charge when she appeared before Mberengwa magistrate Evia Matura.

In mitigation, Mpofu told the court that her husband Farai Charamba had refused to take care of her and the baby and she decided to dump the infant as she had no means of taking care of the baby.

“Your worship, I acted out of anger and desperation as my husband had refused to take care of me and the baby. Out of desperation, I dumped the baby in the bush hoping that she will be picked up by someone who will take care of her,” she said.

Matura sentenced Mpofu to 120 days in prison, which were wholly suspended on condition she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

The State presented that on December 28, 2020 at around 2pm, Mpofu had a misunderstanding with her husband Charamba.

After the disagreement, Charamba left Mpofu with the child at home and went to a bar. Mpofu then went to a nearby bush where she dumped the baby.

The baby was found by passersby at around 3pm and was taken to a police station where a report was made.

Faith Mwale represented the State.

By A Correspondent- In one of the most shocking revelations, a married woman who conceived a child with her lover and deceived her husband to raise it as his own had her clandestine deed exposed by a prophet she had consulted after the child had fallen sick.

Nothabo Moyo from Kingsdale suburb in Bulawayo had gone to the prophet with her mother-in-law.

It proved to be an unwise decision as the prophet ordered Moyo to tell her mother-in-law the truth about the biological father of her ailing child.

Scared that the child was going to die, Moyo reportedly confessed that the child was not that of her husband Gracious Maphosa, but of her unidentified boyfriend.

Details of the shocking confession are contained in Maphosa’s court papers in which he is applying for a downward variation of maintenance.

Maphosa, who is also now doubting paternity of the first child, is seeking variation from $3 000 to $1 500 per month towards his second child with Moyo while awaiting to do paternity tests.

The two separated in August last year after Moyo confessed that Maphosa was not the father of her second child.
In his application which is yet to be heard at the Bulawayo Maintenance Court, Maphosa said his main reason for downward variation was reduced working hours at his workplace due to Covid-19 lockdown which resulted in his salary being slashed.

“I am applying for downward variation in maintenance. I am no longer fully employed and my monthly income was affected after my working hours were reduced as a result of the Covid-19 national lockdown. I separated with Nothabo Moyo in August last year after she cheated on me and later confessed that I was not the biological father of her second child.

“She confessed after the child had fallen ill before a prophet she and my mother had consulted for help. After that confession, I’m also no longer sure if I’m the biological father of the first child and wanted the court to grant an order compelling me to pay $1 500 per month while waiting to go for paternity tests,” Maphosa’s affidavit reads in part.

By A Correspondent- A man who was peddling dagga has been arrested after cops found twists of marijuana stuffed in his underwear in a wardrobe.

A source said cops from Entumbane Police Station received a tip-off that Mpumelelo Tshuma (42) had planted dagga at his house and was also selling it.

Detectives went to his home and they found Tshuma’s niece, Sherlyn Moyo (20).

The source said the cops conducted a search at the house and discovered four plants of mbanje in a vegetable bed.

The source said: “One of the plants was two metres, the other one was 1,9 metres, the other one was 1,8 metres and the smallest one was 1,6 metres tall.”

The source said Moyo fingered her uncle as the owner of the dagga plants. The inquisitive cops also gathered that Tshuma hid twists of mbanje in his bedroom.

Police then waited for him.

Tshuma arrived home at around 4.30pm from work and the detectives pounced on him.

They asked where he hid his twists of mbanje and he led them to his bedroom.

“He had stuffed twelve twists of mbanje in underwear which he had covered with clothes in a wardrobe,” said the source.

Police arrested Tshuma.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.

“We arrested a man from Entumbane suburb who had planted mbanje in his vegetable garden and was also selling it.”

Assistant Inspector Msebele applauded members of the public for supplying the police with information that led to the arrest of the mbanje peddler.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- In a dramatic incident a man ran berserk, beat his girlfriend and destroyed property after he found her with her ex-husband at her home in Lobengula West suburb in Bulawayo.

A source said Henry “Harare”, an illegal money changer who is known to many people as “Harare” at his Chicken Inn based opposite Tredgold courts, visited Memory Mahohoma at her house and found her in the company of Elliot Mukaro, her former husband.

Henry lost his cool and accused Memory of two-timing him with her ex.

More was yet to unfold. The livid Henry grabbed his girlfriend by the throat while accusing her of being a person of loose morals, said the source.

In a fit of rage Henry slapped Memory on the face while calling her names.

The source said: “He insulted her and accused her of having wasted his time since she was cheating on him and said she did not appreciate what he had done for her.”

He threatened to smash Mukaro’s car. Fearing for his life and his car Mukaro drove off at high speed, leaving Memory at the mercy of the furious Henry.

“He hit her with open hands all over the body and tore her skirt. She bled,” said the source.

As if that was not enough Henry smashed a television set and windows.

Memory said: “My ex-husband (Elliot Mukaro) had come to give our second-born child a cake since it was his birthday. Henry got angry after finding me with my former husband and thought we were mending our relationship.”

She added: “He insulted us before hitting me with open hands and threatened to smash my ex-husband’s car.

Mukaro fled. He then assaulted me before destroying my television set, windows and other things.”

Memory reported the matter at Magwegwe Police Station, but later on withdrew the case after Henry promised to replace the property he damaged.

“After the incident he sent his friends to ask for forgiveness on his behalf and promised to replace all the items he destroyed. I had to forgive him after he bought the television set and replaced damaged windows and bought other items which he had destroyed. Please do not write this story because I will face some harsh consequences at my workplace,” she said.

Memory whose marriage ended after she was caught cheating in 2018 was once in the media for the wrong reasons.

Memory Mahohoma

At the time Mukaro told the court that: “Mahohoma was just bitter that I left her after discovering she was unfaithful.

“She came to claim maintenance because she is bitter. I left her. I discovered that she was having extra-marital affairs. I was disappointed and I decided to move out of the house. I came across numerous WhatsApp love messages on her phone,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Henry were fruitless as his mobile number went straight to voicemail and efforts to get hold of him through his wife’s mobile number hit a snag as she said she did not know where he was.

“For a couple of days he has not been coming home and I don’t know where he is,” she said.

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo24.com journalist Simbarashe Sithole was finally released from police cells after 9 hours of detention at Machipisa police station on Thursday.

The police took 9 hours persuading the journalist to pay  RTGS $1000 for allegedly improper masking which he paid under duress.

Having been arrested for unnecessary movement the police changed the charge after police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi  intervened.

Human Rights forum lawyer Nobel Chinhau had to intervene since the police officers were not keen with Sithole’s identity.

Speaking to Bulawayo24.com the lawyer said,” lnitially the charges were of moving unnecessarily at Machipisa Shopping center before the charge changed and he was told that he had been arrested for not properly wearing a mask.

Despite my explanation to my police officers as his lawyer that journalists are allowed to move freely they insisted that  the accused had to appear in court after 48hours”.

Sithole opted to pay the fine instead of staying in the cells which puts him at a risk of contracting Covid-19.

Tinashe Sambiri|Government agents are trailing MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official Arnold Batirai-Dube after raiding his house last week.

Batirai-Dube is also the councillor for ward 24 in Bulawayo.

Batirai-Dube told ZimEye.com on Wednesday he was fearing for his life as he was being trailed by individuals driving unregistered vehicles.

“My life is in danger, State Security agents are tracking my movements. I tried to move to a safe zone but they are monitoring my movements.

They want to abduct me so I am in a state of confusion right now. I spoke about the looting of COVID-19 funds and they want to silence me,” said Batirai-Dube.

Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has called for the immediate release of Alan Moyo.

Hon Mamombe said she was determined to fight for freedom despite being harassed by State Security agents.

“I’m humbled and emboldened by the level of support that I received from ALL of you cdes, friends and family during our time in illegal detention.

From Chikurubi Prison, we went straight for a Covid-19 test, results were negative for both myself and Cde Cecillia R Chimbiri.

Thank you so much Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for the legal support.
Struggle continues unabated.

We are not free until Alan Moyo is free, we will not tire!
FreeAlanMoyo,” Hon Mamombe wrote on her official Facebook page.

By A Correspondent- According to Human Right Watch (HRW), Zimbabwe is reportedly among the worst offenders when it comes to clamping down on journalists and freedom of the media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Gerry Simpson, an associate director for crisis and conflict division at Human Rights Watch, Zimbabwe is among the 20 African countries that reportedly used the veil provided by the COVID-19 pandemic to clampdown on free media:

In Zimbabwe, we have documented a number of incidences over the last year. And our report references three of those. A journalist that was beaten at a checkpoint near a lockdown area.  We documented how a journalist was detained for nine weeks for his COVID reporting between July and November at various stages last year, and finally we have noted how Zimbabwe introduced the Public Health Order Act in March which threatened up 20 years in prison for fake news on public health matters.

Elasto Mugwadi, the head of the government-affiliated Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission told the HRW that they indeed received complaints of abuses:

There were a few complaints when these issues were being applied; the robust approach in enforcement by the police. So generally excessive enforcement. This is a continuous process; we are not stopping monitoring, we are still carrying on.

Malawi and Uganda are some of the countries that are also said to have clamped down on free media and free speech during the lockdown.-VOA

By A Correspondent- Unattended burst sewer pipes in Harare’s high-density suburbs of Glen View and Budiriro have raised concern of a possible health hazard looming in the suburbs.

58 pipe bursts have been reported in Glen View alone while 79 were reported in Budiriro according to the publication.

Reports by the publication indicate that some of the wastewater is reportedly flowing towards community boreholes.

Community Water Alliance (CWA) spokesperson Christopher Gohori spoke to the publication and said the City of Harare must have a bigger budget for water and sewer pipe replacement:

In order to address this problem, there is need to elicit accountability and response from duty bearers on addressing burst water and sewage pipes. CWA calls for increased budget allocation in water and sewage pipe replacement and repairs in order to prevent deaths from water borne diseases like typhoid and cholera

City of Harare should focus on reducing non-revenue water or water leakages as a way of increasing revenue from water and it also helps in the implementation of handwashing with soap under running water as one of the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A 41 year old Zimbabwean man believed to be part of a syndicate of armed robbers who have been terrorizing motorists along the N1 highway between Musina and Makhado towns in Limpopo province has been jailed for life.

Tarusenga Thomas Chunga was condemned to prison after a Musina Regional Court in the Vhembe District, convicted him on charges of murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery.

He was also sentenced to another six months for violating a section of the Immigration Act in that country.

Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said Chunga and his accomplices who are still at large had unleashed a reign of terror along the N1 between 2015 and 2017.

“He was arrested in 2017 in Mahwelereng area under the Waterberg District following a lengthy investigation by our detectives.

“Since then, he has been in remand prison and he failed to secure bail on numerous occasions until his conviction and sentencing on Wednesday,” said Col Ngoepe.

He said Chunga and his group had been terrorising motorists and communities along the N1 road between Musina and Louise Trichardt since 2015.

The official said in a related case, two South African, Robert Ramoeketsi Mokgolobotho (39) and Surprise Solly Ntlwane (41), were jailed for life by the Morebeng Regional Court in the Capricorn District and the Burgersfort Regional Court in the Sekhukhune District respectively.

Mokgolobotho was convicted for raping four women aged between 19 and 20 at gunpoint between 2015 and 2017, around Botlokwa policing area outside the City of Polokwane.

His modus operandi was to break into the homes of young women at night who stayed alone, raped, and robbed them of belongings such as cell phones.

Ntlwane had been arrested for raping an elderly woman (75), at a village around the Mecklenburg policing area on 16 April 2019.

The accused requested accommodation from the unsuspecting victim and later threatened and repeatedly raped her.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Vice President Chiwenga has described the late National Hero, Cde Douglas Nyikayaramba, who was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique as a “gallant son of the soil” who contributed immensely to the liberation of the country.

Ambassador Nyikayaramba, who was also a former army general succumbed to Covid-19 complications on Wednesday at St Annes Hospital in Harare while he was on his annual vacation.

In his message of condolence Vice President Chiwenga said the nation should draw solace from the late diplomat immense contribution to the country’s independence from the British in 1980.

“As we mourn his departure, we shall draw solace from the late Gallant Son of the soil, Lt Gen. (retired) Douglas Nyikayaramba’s distinguished career and selfless dedication, in various capacities, to the service of the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The late Lt Gen Nyikayaramba was a strong and principled revolutionary cadre, who played an instrumental role in the liberation of Zimbabwe.

He was among the first group of ZANLA cadres, who underwent a regular officer cadet training at Nachingweya in Tanzania, under the tutelage of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces.

Among the pioneer group was also Brigadier General Francis Mtisi, Brigadier General Charles Hwekete, former director Central Intelligence Organisation Maj General (retired) Happyton Bonyongwe and the late Maj General Gideon Taurai Lifa.

Vice President Chiwenga added that the late Cde Nyikayaramba continued to serve the country with distinction after independence and rose through the ranks to the position of Lieutenant General upon retirement from the military in 2019.

“His appointment by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa, as Zimbabwe Ambassador to Mozambique, following his retirement from the military service bears ample testimony to his unwavering commitment, dedication and loyalty to his country,” said VP Chiwenga.-statemedia

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD)  has said the almost all provinces will experience evening thunderstorms except for parts of Midlands and Matebeleland South. This was contained in an update that stated that:

ZIMBABWE EVENING WEATHER REPORT AND FORECAST ISSUED AT 1600 HRS ON THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2021 VALID UNTIL SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2021.

The moist and unstable conditions affecting the country resulted in scattered thunderstorms and rain with the following notable rainfall figures measured at our meteorological stations this morning: 33mm (Chinhoyi), 31mm (Mukandi), 26mm (Chipinge), 23mm (Guruve) and 21mm(Zvishavane)

FORECAST FOR TOMORROW FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021

Matabeleland North Province, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, northern areas of Midlands Province, all Mashonaland Provinces, Harare Metropolitan Province, Manicaland Province and Masvingo Province should be cloudy with scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The remainder of the country (southern areas of Midlands, and Matabeleland South Provinces) is expected to be mostly smug and warm with isolated thunderstorms

• There is heightened risk for lightning strikes
• Flooded rivers remain a potential hazard: even if it has not rained heavily in the area, heavy rains may have occurred upstream. Flash flooding may occtr especially in wetlands and near river plains.
• Heavy downpours may reduce visibility and flood dangers become difficult to perceive during heavy rains

ACTIONS TO TAKE

• The sunny morning skies may allow a few outdoor activities such as weeding, applying fertilizers or even hanging laundry, but remember: when Thunder Roars, it is best to be indoors!
• Try to avoid isolated sited, trees, and even the kitchen area especially in rural setting. These are usually prone to lightning strikes. Stay Weather-Ready and Environment-Safe.
• Avoid crossing flooded rivers and swollen streams whether on foot or in a vehicle.
• Keep away from metal equipment and pipes, as these are prone to lightning strikes.
• Do not ride at the back of an open truck or drive a tractor during a storm,
• Avoid driving when visibility is poor, more so at night and during heavy rains (fortunately, curfew hours cover the bulk of this period under current lockdown measures.)
• Ensure rooftops are strongly secured and intact as the potential of wind gust is high.

By A Correspondent- ZRP has said Temba Mliswa who was arrested this morning was arrested for violating lockdown restrictions. In a statement released this afternoon, ZRP said Mliswa held a gathering when he knew that such gatherings are prohibited:

ZRP PRESS STATEMENT 11 FEBRUARY 2021

ARREST OF MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NORTON, TEMBA MLISWA FOR VIOLATING COVID-19 NATIONAL LOCKDOWN MEASURES

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa at his Borrowdale home today in connection with contravening section 5(3)(a) of provisions of Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Consolidation and Amendment) Order, 2020, of Statutory Instrument 200/2020 as read with Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021, that is unlawful gathering, knowing that such gathering is prohibited. More details to follow.

[NYATHI. P] Assistant Commissioner Senior Staff Officer

[Press, Public and International Relations] to the Commissioner General of Police Police General Headquarters

Mliswa said he was arrested because he was about to do what he called a hard exposure. Mliswa has been embroiled in a tussle with his former lover Susan Mutami and they have accused each other of many things during the tussle.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique Douglas Nyikayaramba who succumbed to COVID-19 this week and was declared a national hero will be buried at the national shrine on Saturday, The Herald reports.

The development was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe who said the burial will be held under strict COVID-19 regulations.

The publication said a few things about Nyikayaramba and said:

1. Amb Nyikayaramba was declared a national hero due to his illustrious career during the liberation struggle and after independence.
2. He was a devout member of the Johanne Masowe Vadzidzi VaJesu vekwaMajinesta apostolic sect,
3. Nyikayaramba was described by many as a decorated soldier and won several accolades during his stint in the army

Bulawayo24.com journalist Simbarashe Sithole has been arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Harare while doing his work.

Sithole, who is now detained at Machipisa Police station said even though he showed the police officers his press card they still arrested him for “unnecessary movement”.

He said:

They arrested me in Machipisa saying unnecessary movement even though I produced my press card.

“I was put in police cells, Human Rights Forum brought their lawyers. Now the police are still deciding whether they should detain me or if I should pay a fine,” Sithole said.

Tinashe Sambiri|Veteran journalist Stanley Gama has challenged Mr Douglas Mwonzora to stop abusing the legacy of founding MDC President and former Prime Minister Right Honourable Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

The former Daily News editor accused Mr Mwonzora of using President Tsvangirai’s name for his own benefit.

Having failed to sell his political ideologies to the people of Zimbabwe, Mr Mwonzora is trying to use President Tsvangirai’s legacy to gain public sympathy.

“@DMwonzora
I notice you are using Tsvangirai’s name all the time for your benefit. Stop abusing his name. May I remind u. He told me b4 his death that u had sold out.

This he said in the presence of 2 Daily News journos I was with, a family member & one of his top aides. Iti pwe,” Gama wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Mines minister Winston Chitando has been dragged to court by former Herald newspaper editor Caesar Zvayi and his business partner Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd, a government-owned entity, after kicking the two out of a gold mining claim in Kwekwe.

The minister repossessed Mirage 3 Mine without explanation or notice in June last year – seemingly over arrears – according to the petitioners, and reallocated it to one Jonah Nyevera.

Zvayi’s company, Highway Holdings, is in partnership with Fidelity Printers, the main plaintiff.

In an urgent High Court application citing Chitando in his official capacity, Fidelity general manager Francis Kunaka argues that the seizure was unlawful and should, therefore, be rescinded.

Also cited as second and third respondents are Midlands provincial mining director and Nyevera, respectively.

Kunaka says while the minister was said to have withdrawn their mining rights in June 2020, his company only became aware of the “adverse” development in January 2021, after inquiring about its arrears over the property.

“The decision by the first and second respondents to forfeit the applicant’s mining claim is invalid. It is palpably arbitrary and violates every known procedure intended to ensure fairness, transparency, and justice,” Kunaka said in a founding affidavit filed on behalf of the company.

“On 8 January 2021, the applicant addressed a letter to the first and second respondents seeking to be informed of any arrears in respect of statutory payments over a claim that it owns.

“The applicant has never received a demand for payment of anything from the respondents or notice that failure to make such payments could have adverse consequences. Had such notice been received, the applicant would have promptly acted to secure its interests,” Kunaka argues.

“Had the applicant not sought to put its house in order, it would still be in blissful ignorance of the decisions made against it.”

A letter from the minister to Fidelity dated 11 January 2021 does not give detailed reasons behind the decision to forfeit the mining claim, only making reference to statutory provisions and leaving it to the applicant to surmise the reasons, Kunaka charged.

Minister Chitando has yet to respond.

Fidelity Printers is also seeking an order interdicting and restraining Nyevero from entering the disputed mining premises or disturbing operations.

Kunaka accused the new owner of deploying “hooligans” and “hired criminals” to the mine where they “gave an illegal oral notice of eviction” without a court order.

But in his notice of opposition, Nyevera argued that he was allocated the mine after the expiry of Fidelity Printers’ mining rights and denied ever hiring thugs to evict the company.

“I was issued with special grant after having applied for it sometime in July 2020. I duly paid all the statutory fees required and satisfied all the statutory obligations,” he said.

Nyevera submitted that he and his business partners visited the mining site in peace, only “armed with the relevant mining papers.”

“There was no need for me to threaten anyone, I have legitimate papers to be on the mining site. I followed due process from July 2020 to February 2021 when the special grant was issued,” he countered.

“If anything I should be the one seeking an order to stop the illegal mining operations on the basis that gold is a finite resource which can be depleted.”

The respondent also questioned Fidelity’s right to sue, arguing “the applicant avers that it sold the mining area to Caesar Zvayi. Caesar Zvayi is the one in occupation of the area. After forfeiture, the applicant lost the locas standi to sue in this matter especially on an urgent basis.”

“The applicant cannot sue in the manner it has done. At the very least, Caesar Zvayi could stand a better chance of this scrutiny. I, therefore, urge the court to dismiss the application on this further ground.”

The matter is yet to be heard.

-online

Tinashe Sambiri|Government agents are trailing MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official Arnold Batirai-Dube after raiding his house last week.

Batirai-Dube is also the councillor for ward 24 in Bulawayo.

Batirai-Dube told ZimEye.com on Wednesday he was fearing for his life as he was being trailed by individuals driving unregistered vehicles.

“My life is in danger, State Security agents are tracking my movements. I tried to move to a safe zone but they are monitoring my movements.

They want to abduct me so I am in a state of confusion right now. I spoke about the looting of COVID-19 funds and they want to silence me,” said Batirai-Dube.

By A Correspondent- Four Chinese nationals working under the controversial Zhong Jian mining company sustained severe injuries this week after they were attacked by artisanal gold miners over mining rights dispute.

The incident occurred at Premier Estates, a gold-rich area in Mutasa.

One of the Chinese is reported to have sustained broken ribs while the other one lost a finger as he tried to block his face from a shovel attack.

The irate artisanal miners, popularly known as Makorokoza, are reported to have used an assortment of mining tools including crowbars, picks and shovels to attack the Chinese nationals.

A local environmental rights group Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) confirmed the incident and said the condition of the two other Chinese nationals was unknown.

In a statement, CNRG said the dispute arose when the artisanal miners, working in a tunnel on a gold claim owned by one Zimunya and were approached by the Chinese nationals who wanted the fill the pit using an excavator.

The Chinese are reported to have told the artisanal miners to leave as they had a permit to mine at Premier Estates.

“This angered the artisanal miners who called for a back-up from their colleagues working along Mutare River and attacked the Chinese miners,” CNRG.

The artisanal miners, however, spared the excavator driver who is a Zimbabwean.

Police details were called from Penhalonga but when they arrived, the artisanal miners had fled. However, six people were arrested in connection with the incident before they granted were $3 000 bail each at the local magistrates’ court.

CNRG said it does not condone any form of violence as a solution, but called on the responsible authorities to find an amicable solution to the growing violence and conflicts within the extractive industries, particularly among small scale miners and artisanal miners.

“The incident at Premier indicates the growing tension between Zimbabwean citizens and Chinese nationals who are viewed as operating above the law and with impunity. The government has turned a blind eye on conflicts in the mining sector. The conflicts can be attributed to government’s lack of transparency in granting mine titles,” said CNRG.

It also urged the government to investigate the issue of double allocation mining claims by the mines ministry.

“We called on government to enforce the law and come up with innovative programmes to manage farm-miner conflicts as well as conflicts between artisanal miners and small scale miners. It is evident that multitudes of citizens are turning to artisanal mining for a living and government ought to regularise artisanal mining to avoid escalation of these conflicts with small scale miners,” said CNRG.

The same Chinese mining company, Zhong Jian, was last November at the centre of controversy when it reportedly used an excavator to fill a mine shaft where scores of artisanal miners where working under.

Only two bodies were recovered and the search was abandoned after the company’s general manager Yancey Feng said he wanted evidence there were 10 people missing from the nearby community.

It still remains unclear how many artisanal miners were underground when the shaft collapsed last year.

By A Correspondent- A serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army based at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks and three accomplices were yesterday remanded in custody by Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko for illegal possession of ivory worth US$12 480.

Joseph Mubaiwa (35) of Magama Tongogara Barracks appeared in court together with Quidiance Rundofa, William Manager and Musekiwa Ruzvidzo.

It is alleged that on February 8 this year at around 7:30am, detectives from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit received information that the four men were in possession of ivory at Dan Bismark Sports Club, Arcadia, driving a Mercedes Benz and were looking for buyers.

Armed with the information, detectives proceeded to the scene where they carried surveillance and observed their car parked in the open space near Dan Bismark Sports Club.

The State alleges the detectives observed Mubaiwa and Rundofa showing Manager and Ruzvidzo four sacks which contained elephant tusks whilst standing outside the vehicle.

The four allegedly went inside the vehicle and showed each other another sack of ivory which was in the rear seat.

The detectives allegedly closed in and blocked the Mercedes Benz.

The accused persons allegedly bolted out of the vehicle and ran in different directions. Detectives fired warning shots in the air but accused persons continued running until Rundofa, Manager and Ruzvidzo were arrested while Mubaiwa managed to escape.

The detectives recovered 10 elephant tusks in the boot, nine in another brown sack and two on the rear seat. Mubaiwa was later located and arrested. The accused persons failed to produce licences for the ivory.

The tusks weighed 73,415kg.-newsday

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By Patrick Guramatunhu- MDC A is dismissing Douglas Mwonzora’s call for national political dialogue, involving MDC-T, MDC A and Zanu PF as the leading player, as a waste of time. 

”Well, you have no dispute with Zanu-PF that requires anything that can be sensibly called national dialogue,” Fadzayi Mahere, MDC A spokesperson counted. 

“You’re in constant communication with Zanu-PF as you plot to usurp the will of the people. So what dialogue do you now seek?

“How does a puppet dialogue with its puppet master.”

This is just a nonsensical argument comparable to the garbage we have often heard from former US President Donald Trump’s lawyers! 

Mwonzora, Mudzuri and many members now in the Mwonzora led MDC-T factions were in the MDC A camp together with Chamisa, Biti, etc. right up to the March 2020 Supreme Court ruling confirmed an earlier High Court ruling that Chamisa’s seizure of the party’s leadership following Morgan Tsvangirai’s death was illegal. 

If the purpose of the national dialogue is to resolve the Mnangagwa legitimacy then Mwonzora and company have as much right to a meaningful say in the matter as Chamisa, Biti and all those who have remained in MDC A. The decision to challenge presidential result and the Constitutional Court ruling declaring Mnangagwa the winner was made by MDC A members way before the March 2020 split. 

Besides, the legitimacy question would have never even arisen is MDC leaders, from both MDC A and MDC-T faction divide, had implemented the democratic reforms, especially during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when they had the golden opportunity to do so. And, as if selling out on reforms was not bad enough, they all participating in the flawed and illegal July 2018 elections KNOWING fully well that doing so would give Zanu PF legitimacy!

“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” wrote David Coltart, MDC A Treasurer General, in his book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.

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

The MDC A was the coalition Coltart said was missing before the 2013 elections. As we know, they still failed to “do the obvious – withdraw from the 2018 elections”! 

Of course, it is political opportunism and grandstanding on the part of Nelson Chamisa to be wittering about Mnangagwa’s “lack of legitimacy” when he knew MDC A’s participation in the flawed election would give Zanu PF legitimacy.

“MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” boasted Nelson Chamisa, before the 2018 elections. 

The world is sick and tired of politicians who participate in flawed election processes, claiming they can win rigged elections, only to complain afterwards of “stolen elections.”

“Senator Mwonzora, for dialogue to work, the parties involved must have genuine political capital,” chipped in Alex Magaisa, Morgan Tsvangirai’s Chief Legal Advisor during the 2008 to 2013 GNU.

“That’s why Lancaster House worked in 1979 while the Smith-Muzorewa show in 1978 flopped. Lancaster was genuine, while the Internal Settlement was Smith’s marionette show.”

Well Morgan Tsvangirai certainly had “political capital” going into the 2008 to 2013 GNU because he had 73% of the popular vote in the March 2008 vote, according to Robert Mugabe’s Freudian slip. 

The primary task of the 2008 GNU was to implement the raft of democratic reforms designed to stop the blatant cheating that enabled Zanu PF to whittle down Tsvangirai’s 73% to 47% to force the run-off. And to end the wanton violence to punish the voters for rejecting Mugabe and Zanu PF in the early vote. Mugabe had 84% of the vote in the run-off. 

As we know, Tsvangirai and his MDC friends failed to implement even one reform in 5 years of the GNU. Mugabe was able to bribe the MDC leaders, including the Chief Legal Advisor, with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they completely forgot about the reforms.

Lecturers at ZAOGA owned Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) have stopped conducting online lectures demanding salaries and COVID-19 allowances equivalent to the ones paid State run Universities.

A lecturer who spoke to 263Chat on condition of anonymity said they have stopped conducting lectures owing to poor remuneration and dishonesty from authorities at the institution

“We are fed up with the administration, they are not honouring on their promises. Last year we embarked on a similar strike and we had three meetings that culminated in our salaries being pegged equivalent to our colleagues at State Universities,” said the lecturer.
The lecturer said they have tried everything to have their grievances addressed by the University’s Chancellor and founder Professor Ezekiel Guti and they have been hitting the brick wall.

“We have tried to engage the administration but without any success and we have also written to the Chancellor Prof. Guti but it seems our letters are not reaching him. We feel that someone is blocking our efforts to reach the Chancellor,” he said.

The industrial action has disadvantaged online lectures prompting students to petition the institution’s Registrar. In a petition gleaned by 263Chat, SRC secretary general Takudzwa Mukove pleaded with the ZEGU authorities to reward the striking lecturers.

“Reference is made to the notice of industrial action which was served to you by ZEGU Lectures this year. In my capacity as the undersigned and as a student, we feel the strong chains of incapacitation that your administration has caused to our beloved Lecturers, depriving them of the means and motivation to discharge their duties efficiently.

“You have tied a heavy albatross around their necks and the resultant effect is injurious to student learning. From whence shall we drink, when our fountains of knowledge are drained dry? There is need for expediency in addressing Lecturers’ grievances to ameliorate the status of the institution gradually inclining into disrepute. We are cognisant of your Agreement with Lecturers in 2020 wherein you undertook to equate their salaries with those serving in state universities.

“You had a noble idea of cushioning them from the intense heatwave of the crippling economy exacerbated by daily price skyrocketing. We stand solid and in solidarity to support the Lecturer cause. For Christ’s sake, invoke your Christian values to see to it that he who works should be rewarded accordingly.” read Mukove’s letter.

He added “That is the ration aloof your existence as administrators to attend to genuine issues that threaten the credibility of the institution. We also further and politely advise that if the management remain mum and antagonistic to the cause, like they usually do, resulting in any deprivation of our Academic interests, surely and obviously do expect an organised democratic response from all angles in the soonest time. Acknowledge by acting accordingly with expediency and in good faith.”

Efforts to get a comment from ZEGU Deputy Registrar, Ms Mukosi were unsuccessful as her mobile number was continuously engaged.

-263Chat. additional reporting ZimEye